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India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

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

Initial Hope Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Today, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.

Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.

Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the team.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press