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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.

Now, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them in the past.

Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the team.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

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

Coaching Scrutiny

The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press