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India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.

Currently, the team look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the team.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press