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

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the showpiece of this season as well.

After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Now, India seem beatable on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

Even though there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the team.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.

Management Questions

The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press