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India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Disappears

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the final of this cycle as well.

After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, India appear to be easy pickings at home.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.

Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.

Experts and participants have identified various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the squad.

Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press