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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.

Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

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

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.

Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the squad.

Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press