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India's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Disappears

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season too.

After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.

Now, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the side.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press