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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

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

Initial Hope Vanishes

The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season as well.

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.

While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Most former players point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press