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

In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.

Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the side.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press