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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Disappears

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.

Today, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would pose to them earlier.

Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the side.

Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press