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India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Disappears

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

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

India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Concerning History

It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the final of this edition too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Today, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.

Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press