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

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.

Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press