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India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them in the past.

While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the side.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press