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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of making the final of this edition too.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.

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

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the performances of the side.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press