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

In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Concerning History

It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle also.

From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Now, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.

A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.

Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the team.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press