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India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition also.

After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Today, the team seem beatable at home.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, 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 Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.

Management Questions

The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press