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

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this cycle as well.

After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

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

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.

Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the team.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press