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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 inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.

From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Today, India seem easy pickings at home.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the displays of the team.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press