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

In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition too.

After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.

Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.

Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the side.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.

Management Questions

The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press