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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis 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 South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.

Now, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.

While there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Experts and participants have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the team.

Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press