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India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

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

India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.

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

Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas.

A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.

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

Multiple Failings

Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the squad.

Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press