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India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.

Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the squad.

Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press