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India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the showpiece of this edition as well.

After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.

Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

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

Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the displays of the side.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press