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India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented 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 decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Disappears

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle as well.

From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.

Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.

Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the squad.

Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press