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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Disappears

The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.

After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Currently, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.

A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.

While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the side.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press