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

Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the final of this season also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.

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

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.

Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press