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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the decider of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Today, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed overseas.

A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them in the past.

While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.

Management Questions

The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press