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The Indian cricket team'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 South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.

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

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the side.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press