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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

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

The positive trajectory established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Disappears

The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the showpiece of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks 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 viewed as an exception.

Today, India look to be beatable on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as rivals exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.

A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press