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India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.

Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the final of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.

Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.

Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.

Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the team.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press