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India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Disappears

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

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season as well.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.

While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.

Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press