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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.

Now, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them in the past.

While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the displays of the squad.

Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.

Management Questions

The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press