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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.

In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.

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

Worrying Trend

It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.

From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.

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

Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.

While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the side.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press