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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured very early in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

It was the second clean sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition as well.

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

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

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have highlighted several failings following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the side.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press