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India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Disappears

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.

Currently, the team look to be vulnerable at home.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.

While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the squad.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.

Management Questions

The review also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press