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India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the decider of this edition too.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.

Now, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.

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

Various Shortcomings

Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the side.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press