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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, South Africa gave India a record Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with team coach Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, indicated a successful handover following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

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

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the showpiece of this season as well.

From number three in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the mighty Aussies. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Today, India seem vulnerable on home turf.

Facing New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well abroad.

Some point out that the IPL, in which several international stars take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the team.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.

Management Questions

The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press