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

Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the final of this season too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.

Now, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.

A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them before.

Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the squad.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press