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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this edition too.

After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.

Today, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.

While there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have seen such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.

Experts and participants have identified several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the side.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press