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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Now, India look to be beatable on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.

While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.

Management Questions

The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press