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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 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 loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle too.

From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.

Now, the team seem easy pickings in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.

A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.

Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the squad.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

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

Management Questions

The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press