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

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

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

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.

Now, India seem beatable on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.

While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

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

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press