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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the final of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.

Now, India seem beatable at home.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the team.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.

Management Questions

The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press