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

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition too.

From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.

Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

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

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.

Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the side.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem also included the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press