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India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the decider of this cycle too.

After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Now, India look to be beatable at home.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.

While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.

Management Questions

The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press