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India's unexpected 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Disappears

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. But that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of qualifying for the decider of this edition too.

From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.

Now, India appear to be beatable at home.

Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better abroad.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has reduced the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would pose to them earlier.

While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.

Critics and players have pointed to various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the squad.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not well enough to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review also included not only the cricketers - selectors and support staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

In his post-series press