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India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Disappears

The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.

Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.

Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the team.

Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press