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

Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The young team's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous departures of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, before the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the decider of this season too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine further games are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.

Currently, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.

Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have highlighted several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the side.

Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Management Questions

The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press