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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Disappears

The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition also.

From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.

Now, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.

A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.

Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the team.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.

Management Questions

The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press