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

In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the close together departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.

Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well abroad.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.

While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.

Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the team.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press