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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, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.

After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.

Currently, India look to be beatable at home.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.

While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.

Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the displays of the team.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press