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

Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball 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 England, was considered an aberration.

Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.

Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.

Critics and players have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the showings of the squad.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press