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

In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous 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 South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of making the final of this cycle too.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.

Currently, the team seem beatable at home.

Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

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

Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the side.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Management Questions

The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press