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

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming India's hopes of reaching the final of this edition too.

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - including against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil lately is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception.

Today, the team appear to be beatable at home.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.

Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

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

Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the starting eleven, and emphasizing limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the team.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review targeted the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press