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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second whitewash at home endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition as well.

After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.

Today, the team seem beatable at home.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.

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

Multiple Failings

Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.

Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the side.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.

Management Questions

The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press