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India's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season enhanced that perception, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Concerning History

It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.

From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.

Now, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the squad.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to claim wins.

Management Questions

The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press