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India's surprising 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - including team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Disappears

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home season strengthened that view, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.

Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's chances of reaching the final of this cycle as well.

From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were considered unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Currently, India seem vulnerable in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as the opposition used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Management Questions

The analysis also included the entire setup - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press