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India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.

Currently, the team seem easy pickings at home.

Facing New Zealand in last year 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, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.

Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the squad.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press