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India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition also.

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Now, the team seem beatable at home.

Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was evident in the performances of the side.

Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press