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India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Disappears

The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Concerning History

This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.

Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.

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

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.

Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the showings of the squad.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Management Questions

The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press