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

Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.

Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have highlighted various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press