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India's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of reaching the showpiece of this season too.

After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine further games are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Today, the team look to be vulnerable at home.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better abroad.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with earlier.

While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the displays of the side.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press