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

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Currently, the team look to be easy pickings at home.

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the team.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

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

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press