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India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of making the final of this cycle too.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. 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 disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

Currently, India seem beatable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.

Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.

Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the squad.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press