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

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just one year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory built over the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, indicated a seamless changeover following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury quickly in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard display in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this season as well.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's frailty in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Currently, India seem easy pickings at home.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better overseas.

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

While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify the reason the side's results at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

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

Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the squad.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press