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

Just days ago, the visiting team handed 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 another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.

Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press