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India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Disappears

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition too.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.

Today, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.

Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.

Even though there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.

Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the showings of the squad.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.

Management Questions

The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press