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

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.

While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the side.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press