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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Disappears

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

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

In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.

Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.

While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the side.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press