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India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation'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 all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this season also.

After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.

Although there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

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

Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the squad.

Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press