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

Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.

Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.

While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, 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 skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press