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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm gained during 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.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the final of this edition as well.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

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

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the displays of the squad.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press