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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.

While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the displays of the squad.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Management Questions

The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press