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

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The emerging side's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over West Indies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were a bit 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 well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

It was the second whitewash at home suffered by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost India a place in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Now, the team look to be easy pickings at home.

Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.

Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.

Although there is some truth in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press