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

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.

While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the side.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press