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

Just days ago, South Africa gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - along with head coach the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the series. But that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second whitewash on home soil endured by India in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's prospects of making the final of this season too.

From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Though nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. However the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Today, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier.

While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results at home have seen such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

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

Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the displays of the team.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press