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

Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

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

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of making the decider of this season as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press