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India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an aberration.

Currently, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them earlier.

Even though there is validity in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

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

Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the side.

Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press