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

Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Disappears

The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this cycle as well.

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Currently, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.

Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.

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

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.

Management Questions

The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press