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

In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season too.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Currently, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

While there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the squad.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The review also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press