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India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the close together departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.

After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.

Now, India look to be easy pickings on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well overseas.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with earlier.

Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.

Critics and players have pointed to several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press