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

In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the decider of this edition also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Currently, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.

Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.

Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have identified various flaws post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press