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

Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.

A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would challenge them with in the past.

Even though there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.

Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the squad.

Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press