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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this season too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.

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

Multiple Failings

Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the side.

Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press