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

In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Disappears

The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this season also.

From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Now, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the team.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

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

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press