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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.

Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.

After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.

Currently, India seem beatable at home.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.

While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.

Experts and participants have identified various flaws after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press