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

Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the decider of this edition also.

From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.

Now, India seem easy pickings at home.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

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

Critics and players have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the displays of the team.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Management Questions

The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press