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India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season strengthened that view, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second whitewash at home experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of reaching the final of this season as well.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an anomaly.

Currently, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas.

A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them before.

Although there is validity in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

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

Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press