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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

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

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this cycle too.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Currently, India seem easy pickings on home turf.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.

While there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the team.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.

Management Questions

The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press