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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.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.

After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.

Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.

A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the displays of the side.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press