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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Today, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

Even though there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Management Questions

The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press