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India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.

Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.

Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press