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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.

Today, India look to be beatable at home.

Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.

Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Critics and players have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the displays of the side.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press