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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle too.

After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Today, India look to be easy pickings at home.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.

While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have highlighted several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Management Questions

The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press