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

In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Currently, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well abroad.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.

Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the side.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press