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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Concerning History

It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the showpiece of this edition too.

After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times 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 surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Now, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.

Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

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

Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the squad.

Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Management Questions

The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press