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

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the near-simultaneous exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as 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 odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.

Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings at home.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The review also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press