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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.

In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

Concerning History

This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests 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 hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.

Currently, the team seem beatable on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.

Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the displays of the team.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press