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India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Disappears

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

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

After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.

Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.

Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

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

Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the displays of the side.

Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press