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

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather 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 England, was viewed as an aberration.

Now, the team look to be beatable at home.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.

While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the side.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Management Questions

The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press