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

In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.

From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Now, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.

While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.

Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the squad.

Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press