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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Disappears

The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this edition also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.

Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.

Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the team.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

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

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press