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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand 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. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.

Today, India appear to be vulnerable at home.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the showings of the squad.

Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.

Management Questions

The analysis didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press