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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of multiple squad members - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's impressive performance in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the well below standard showing in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.

After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, India have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. But the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.

Now, India seem easy pickings on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to succeed abroad.

A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would challenge them with in the past.

Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

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

Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the squad.

Members like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press