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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.

After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.

Now, India appear to be vulnerable at home.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers 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 turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.

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

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

Several Weaknesses

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

Experts and participants have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press