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India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of reaching the decider of this edition also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an anomaly.

Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.

While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

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, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press