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

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle too.

After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.

Now, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.

A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

Although there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the squad.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press