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

In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover following the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season also.

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.

Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press