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

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition too.

From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Now, India appear to be beatable at home.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.

Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the side.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

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

In his post-series press