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

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This was the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. 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 viewed as an exception.

Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.

Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

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

Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press