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India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Concerning History

It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the final of this cycle also.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.

Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

Although there is validity in these views, 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 one or two factors.

Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press