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India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Just days ago, the visiting team handed 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 another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition too.

From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.

Now, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.

A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.

While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the team.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press