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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.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Today, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.

Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was evident in the showings of the squad.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

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

Management Questions

The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press