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India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.

From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.

Now, the team seem easy pickings on home turf.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

Although there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press