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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this edition too.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.

Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.

While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the squad.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press