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India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Disappears

The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

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

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the side.

Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Management Questions

The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press