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

In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Concerning History

This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season too.

From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.

Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the side.

Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press