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India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly 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 showing in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of making the final of this season as well.

From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Today, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the squad.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press