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

Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Disappears

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the final of this season as well.

After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.

Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the team.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press