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

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - including team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.

After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Today, India appear to be beatable at home.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.

While there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players identify a complicated issue, not only a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have identified several failings following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the squad.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but inadequately to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press