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

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.

Now, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.

While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

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

Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the team.

Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press