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India's unexpected 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 Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.

Concerning History

This was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.

Today, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

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

Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the team.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Management Questions

The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press