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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

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

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition too.

From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.

Now, the team seem beatable at home.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Management Questions

The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press