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India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Disappears

The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard display in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the final of this edition also.

From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Currently, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is failing at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.

Although there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The review targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press