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

In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.

Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.

Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the team.

Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press