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

Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle also.

From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the team.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press