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

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season also.

After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.

While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

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

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press