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India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Disappears

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season also.

From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Currently, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.

Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the squad.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press