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India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

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

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this cycle too.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.

While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.

Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the side.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press