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

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of making the final of this edition also.

After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.

Currently, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the side.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press