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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

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

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Now, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.

Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.

While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press