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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished 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 another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - including 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 successful handover following the close together retirements of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season too.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.

Currently, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

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

Analysts and squad members have pointed to various flaws post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the side.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.

Management Questions

The review also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press