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India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.

After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Today, India look to be beatable at home.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.

Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press