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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Today, the team seem vulnerable at home.

Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

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

Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the squad.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press