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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.

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

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the team.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

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

Leadership Under Fire

The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press