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India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.

Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.

While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the side.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press