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

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied India a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the decider of this cycle as well.

After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.

Now, India look to be beatable at home.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.

Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the displays of the side.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.

Management Questions

The review targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press