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India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, the visiting team handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the close together retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

Concerning History

It was the second whitewash in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa risks harming the team's chances of making the final of this edition also.

From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

Currently, the team seem beatable at home.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players participate, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.

Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the team.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press