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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle as well.

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.

Now, India seem vulnerable at home.

Facing New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the side.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press