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India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the decider of this season too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

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

Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.

Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the side.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press