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India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.

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

Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the decider of this edition as well.

After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, India seem beatable on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.

While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the squad.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press