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India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the final of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the side.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.

Management Questions

The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press