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

In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Disappears

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press