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India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition also.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.

Today, the team look to be beatable on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better abroad.

A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.

Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the displays of the side.

Members such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press