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India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum gained during the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Disappears

The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Concerning History

It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.

After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home recently is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the side.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press