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India's surprising 0-2 defeat 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 loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season also.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.

Now, India seem beatable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the squad.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press