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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.

After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.

Now, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them earlier.

While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.

Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press