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

In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Disappears

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.

From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

Currently, the team appear to be beatable at home.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

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

While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.

Critics and players have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the team.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press