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India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Disappears

The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.

Now, the team look to be beatable at home.

Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.

Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.

Management Questions

The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press