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

Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Disappears

The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition also.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Currently, India look to be beatable at home.

Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them before.

While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the side.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press