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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.

Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season too.

From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.

Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the squad.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press