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India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Currently, India look to be vulnerable at home.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.

A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

While there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies following India's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the performances of the team.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press