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India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.

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 longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.

From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters 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 changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.

Although there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.

Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the side.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included just the players - selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press