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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.

Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press