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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.

After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.

Experts and participants have identified various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press