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

Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition too.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Now, the team seem beatable at home.

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

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press