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

Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Concerning History

It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.

After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.

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

Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.

Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press