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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the final of this cycle also.

After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.

While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the side.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem targeted not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press