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

In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.

After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room 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 struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.

Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

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

Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the squad.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press