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India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

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

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition too.

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.

Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

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

Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

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

Management Questions

The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press