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

In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.

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

Concerning History

This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle also.

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Now, India look to be beatable at home.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.

A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.

While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

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

Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the squad.

Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

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

Management Questions

The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press