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India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Disappears

The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the decider of this season also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Today, India appear to be beatable in their own backyard.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.

A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Critics and players have highlighted several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the side.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press