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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the showpiece of this edition also.

After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Today, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.

Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the squad.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press