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

Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.

Today, India seem vulnerable at home.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.

While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have identified several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the team.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press