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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Disappears

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.

After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.

Now, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.

Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.

Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.

Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press