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

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory built over the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India 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 on home turf.

Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them in the past.

Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press