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India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this season as well.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even 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 mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Currently, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the displays of the side.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press