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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Concerning History

It was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.

Now, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the team.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Management Questions

The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press