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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory 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 positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the close together departures of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

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

The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the final of this season also.

After being third in the WTC table before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Currently, the team look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not well enough to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press