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

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Concerning History

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

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition also.

From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.

Today, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

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

Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the team.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press