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

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Currently, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.

Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Management Questions

The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press