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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the close together retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.

Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners 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 unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.

Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the side.

Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press