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

In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle too.

From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.

Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the team.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press