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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - 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. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.

A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.

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

Multiple Failings

Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the performances of the team.

Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press