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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.

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

Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to prepare players to do well overseas.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.

While there is some truth in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press