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

Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Disappears

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Concerning History

It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

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

From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.

Now, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with earlier.

Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the team.

Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press