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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

It was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.

From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the squad.

Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.

Management Questions

The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press