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

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.

After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.

Now, India seem vulnerable on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

Even though there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.

Critics and players have pointed to various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the side.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press