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India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of making the decider of this cycle also.

After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

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

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the side.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

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

Management Questions

The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press