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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.

Now, the team look to be vulnerable at home.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.

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

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.

Experts and participants have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the displays of the team.

Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press