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India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

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 Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, India seem easy pickings at home.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.

While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the squad.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press