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

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season as well.

After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.

While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.

Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the squad.

Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press