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India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Disappears

The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home.

Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.

While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press