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

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition also.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.

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

Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.

Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.

While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press