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

In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the final of this season also.

After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Today, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.

Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the side.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.

Management Questions

The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press