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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.

After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

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

Experts and participants have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the squad.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Management Questions

The review also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press