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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the side of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.

Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.

While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the side.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press