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

In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

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

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Concerning History

This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, 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.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.

Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.

A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.

Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.

Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the squad.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press