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India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver 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 neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season as well.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.

While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the performances of the side.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Management Questions

The review targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press