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

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and several players 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 whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.

After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.

Now, India look to be beatable at home.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.

Although there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press