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

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.

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

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.

While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the squad.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press