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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.

Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Disappears

The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

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

India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition also.

After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.

Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.

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

Even though there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the performances of the team.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.

Management Questions

The post-mortem also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press