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India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.

Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the team.

Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press