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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum built over the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing display in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas threatens to derail India's hopes of reaching the final of this cycle also.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home recently is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that India is floundering at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.

Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press