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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, India look to be beatable on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them before.

Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press