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India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished 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 marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.

From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.

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

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have identified several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.

Management Questions

The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press