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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.

Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.

Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.

Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press