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

Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition too.

From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.

Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.

Management Questions

The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press