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

In the final match, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.

After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.

Today, India appear to be vulnerable on home turf.

Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.

While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the team.

Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press