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India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Disappears

The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.

Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.

While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have identified various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.

Management Questions

The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press