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

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Disappears

The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of making the final of this edition also.

After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Today, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.

While there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the side.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.

Management Questions

The review also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press