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

In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.

Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.

Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the side.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press