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India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This represented the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the final of this edition too.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.

Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.

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

Multiple Failings

Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.

Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the team.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Management Questions

The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press