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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season too.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Now, the team look to be beatable on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.

While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have pointed to several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press