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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition post the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in each match against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep at home endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.

After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to fifth place. Although nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.

Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.

While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Players like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press