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India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.

After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.

Today, the team look to be beatable at home.

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.

Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.

Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the squad.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.

Management Questions

The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press