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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Currently, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

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 hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press