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

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.

After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa 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 struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.

Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.

Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the displays of the side.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press