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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.

Today, the team seem beatable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.

Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Management Questions

The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press