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

Just days ago, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition post the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home campaign enhanced that perception, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in both Tests against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this season as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why the team have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Currently, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

Although there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have seen such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the displays of the side.

Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but inadequately to claim wins.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare just the players - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press