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India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this edition also.

From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.

Today, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.

Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have identified several failings following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press