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

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum built over the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par performance in the two games against the opposition.

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

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by India in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an exception.

Now, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.

A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with in the past.

Even though there is validity in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the displays of the side.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.

Management Questions

The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press