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

Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This was the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.

After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.

Now, the team seem beatable at home.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the performances of the side.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press