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India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the well below standard showing in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the decider of this season too.

From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine further games are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, the team look to be easy pickings on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed overseas.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them in the past.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted several failings post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Cricketers such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The review also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press