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India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.

After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.

Today, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted several failings post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press