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India's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Disappears

The young team's strong showing in England this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second series sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle also.

After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, a majority are against Australia. Typically, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an anomaly.

Currently, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to perform better abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would challenge them with before.

While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the displays of the squad.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - fell short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press