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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Concerning History

It was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.

After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.

Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.

Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was evident in the showings of the team.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press