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India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of reaching the decider of this edition as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, the team seem beatable at home.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.

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

While there is validity in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

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

Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the performances of the squad.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press