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India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.

Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.

Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.

Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the team.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press