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

In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.

After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.

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

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.

While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the performances of the squad.

Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.

Management Questions

The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press