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India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Now, India look to be vulnerable at home.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.

While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the side.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Management Questions

The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press