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India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.

Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.

While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

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

Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the team.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

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

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press