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India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle also.

From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.

Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.

Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the side.

Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press