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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Disappears

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Concerning History

This was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.

Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

Even though there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

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

Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press