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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this season also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.

Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

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

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with in the past.

Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a few causes.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the squad.

Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press