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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.

Concerning History

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the final of this season as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Currently, India seem beatable on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the squad.

Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Management Questions

The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press