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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, 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 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second whitewash on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this season too.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests at home recently is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Today, India appear to be easy pickings at home.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well in foreign conditions.

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

Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.

Critics and players have identified various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

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

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press