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

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.

Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.

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

After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.

Now, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.

Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.

Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the team.

Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Management Questions

The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press