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India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.

While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the team.

Cricketers such as 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 - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press