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

Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.

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

This was obvious in the performances of the squad.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.

Management Questions

The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press