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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - including head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Disappears

The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this edition too.

From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.

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

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes.

Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the performances of the team.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Management Questions

The analysis also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press