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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing showing in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Concerning History

It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

Players 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 aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.

Management Questions

The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press