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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season also.

After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.

Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.

Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the side.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press