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India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this season as well.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.

Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.

Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.

Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

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

Multiple Failings

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

Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the performances of the side.

Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press