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India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.

After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.

Today, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.

Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the side.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Management Questions

The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press