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

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon 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 the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the past six months has largely dissipated and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a smooth transition after the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the commencement of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that captain Gill got injured very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par showing in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second whitewash on home soil experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home recently is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Now, India seem beatable in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better abroad.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.

Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have experienced such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

Most former players diagnose a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the team.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The review didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press