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

Just days ago, 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 the host nation's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.

Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's hopes of making the final of this edition too.

From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible 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 occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.

Today, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.

Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the squad.

Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press