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India's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season too.

From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Now, India appear to be easy pickings at home.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.

Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

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

Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the team.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press