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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.

After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.

Now, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.

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

Multiple Failings

Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the side.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Management Questions

The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press