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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests 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 suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the final of this cycle also.

From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.

Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.

Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.

Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was evident in the displays of the side.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.

Management Questions

The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press