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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.

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

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.

Now, the team appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.

While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the team.

Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press