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India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.

Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.

Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the side.

Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press