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

Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Currently, India look to be easy pickings at home.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the displays of the side.

Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press