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India's surprising 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India'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 a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Vanishes

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second series sweep in home conditions suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this cycle too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.

Now, India appear to be easy pickings on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them earlier.

Although there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to one or two factors.

Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press