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India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.

From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.

Currently, the team seem vulnerable at home.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.

Even though there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have identified several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the squad.

Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press