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

In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this edition also.

From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.

While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen 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 various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press