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India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Disappears

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this season as well.

After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.

Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the side.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press