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

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Concerning History

It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.

Currently, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.

Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Management Questions

The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press