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

Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the terribly sub-par performance in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Concerning History

It was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the final of this cycle too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.

A few mention that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.

Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the side.

Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press