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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.

While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have identified several failings post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the squad.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press