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India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the final of this season also.

After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.

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

Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed overseas.

Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.

Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the team.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press