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India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

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

Early Optimism Vanishes

The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the decider of this season also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Today, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.

Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the side.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Management Questions

The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press