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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season as well.

From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.

Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.

While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.

Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was evident in the performances of the side.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press