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India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty 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.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.

Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the side.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press