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

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Disappears

The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

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 staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle also.

After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.

Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.

Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press