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

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press