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

In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this season also.

After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.

Now, India look to be easy pickings at home.

Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.

Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the side.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press