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

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.

From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.

Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.

While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was evident in the performances of the team.

Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Management Questions

The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press