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

In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Concerning History

This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season also.

From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.

Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press