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

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the close together departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season boosted that belief, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the decider of this edition too.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an anomaly.

Currently, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Most former players point to a complicated issue, not only a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

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

Management Questions

The post-mortem targeted just the players - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press