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India's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of reaching the final of this edition too.

After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.

Now, India look to be beatable at home.

Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed abroad.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.

Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Management Questions

The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press