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

In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against South Africa.

Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Now, India seem vulnerable on home turf.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press