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

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Disappears

The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover after the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.

Now, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.

Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the team.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press