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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Concerning History

This was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the decider of this cycle as well.

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.

Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the squad.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press