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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second clean sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the decider of this season as well.

From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, India appear to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them before.

Even though there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.

Critics and players have highlighted various flaws after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the squad.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.

Management Questions

The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press