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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Disappears

The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition post the close together exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of reaching the decider of this edition too.

After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.

Now, the team appear to be beatable at home.

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose 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 do well in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

While there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the team.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press