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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, the team look to be beatable on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have seen such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the team.

Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press