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India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Disappears

The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.

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

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this season too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.

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

Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.

A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.

While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.

Experts and participants have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press