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

Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Disappears

The young team's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the domestic season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

Concerning History

It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a spot in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this edition too.

From number three in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.

Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the team.

Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review targeted just the players - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press