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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, South Africa inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the showpiece of this cycle too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

Currently, the team appear to be beatable at home.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.

Even though there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

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

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the squad.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press