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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the decider of this season also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.

Now, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed overseas.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.

Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

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

Experts and participants have identified multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the team.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

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

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press