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The Indian cricket team's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par performance in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of making the final of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is remains puzzling.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.

Currently, India look to be beatable in their own backyard.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that India is failing at home because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.

While there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the squad.

Players such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.

Management Questions

The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press