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India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Disappears

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the final of this season as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.

While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.

Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press