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India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this season too.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Now, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was evident in the displays of the squad.

Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press