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India's shocking 0-2 defeat 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 loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.

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

Worrying Trend

It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.

From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.

Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.

Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.

Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.

Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press