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

Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the final of this cycle also.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.

Now, the team seem beatable on home turf.

Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with before.

While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the team.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press