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

In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

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

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with before.

Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the squad.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - 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 - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Management Questions

The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press