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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

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

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.

While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the squad.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press