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

Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.

Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.

Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the showings of the squad.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press