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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were shown as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this edition also.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have dropped to fifth place. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.

Today, India seem vulnerable at home.

Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they prepared to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them in the past.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the team.

Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press