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India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this season also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Currently, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.

Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.

Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the team.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press