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India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation'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 almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle too.

After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.

Now, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.

While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.

Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the side.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Management Questions

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

In his post-series press