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

Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. 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 a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the final of this season also.

After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the team.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press