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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Disappears

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, India appear to be beatable at home.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press