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

In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Concerning History

It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the final of this edition also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

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

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.

While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.

Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the performances of the team.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press