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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.

Today, the team seem easy pickings at home.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.

Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the squad.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press