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

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.

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

Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.

A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.

Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the side.

Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press