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

In the final match, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Concerning History

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

The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle too.

From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.

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

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.

Even though there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press