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

Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the decider of this edition also.

From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

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

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.

While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press