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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.

Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the decider of this edition also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.

Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the side.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Management Questions

The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press