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India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this season also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.

While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.

Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the performances of the team.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press