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

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the final of this edition as well.

After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Currently, India look to be beatable at home.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

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

Experts and participants have identified various flaws following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press