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India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm built over the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - along with head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second clean sweep at home endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas could damage the team's chances of reaching the final of this edition as well.

After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - including against the strong Australian side. However the debacles against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an anomaly.

Now, the team look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not only one or two factors.

Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws after the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the squad.

Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by disappointed supporters and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press