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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this edition too.

After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with earlier.

Although there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the side.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press