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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this edition as well.

From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.

Now, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.

While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the team.

Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press