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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this cycle also.

From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.

Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have pointed to several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press