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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.

From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.

Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.

Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.

Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

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

At his post-series press