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India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.

Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.

Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.

Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them before.

Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.

Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was evident in the showings of the squad.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press