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India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of reaching the final of this season also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.

Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

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 train the squad to succeed overseas.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.

Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have identified various flaws after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the team.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.

Management Questions

The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press