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India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Disappears

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.

From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.

Today, the team seem vulnerable 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 favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them before.

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

Various Shortcomings

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

Critics and players have pointed to several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the team.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Management Questions

The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press