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

Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition too.

From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.

Today, the team seem vulnerable in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.

While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the performances of the team.

Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press