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

Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.

Currently, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.

Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the squad.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.

Management Questions

The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press