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

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.

Now, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.

Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the side.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press