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

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Disappears

The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle too.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.

Today, India seem vulnerable at home.

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.

Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the side.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press