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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.

From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.

Currently, India appear to be vulnerable at home.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.

Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Management Questions

The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press