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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

It was the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the final of this edition too.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.

Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.

Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the performances of the team.

Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press