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India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.

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

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season also.

After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.

Currently, India look to be beatable on home turf.

Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.

A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.

Even though there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the side.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press