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

Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition too.

From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.

Today, India look to be beatable at home.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.

Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Experts and participants have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the team.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press