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

In the final match, the visiting team gave India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Disappears

The new-look squad's commendable display in England this summer, under a different skipper, pointed to a smooth transition post the close together exits of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the well below standard performance in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

This represented the second whitewash on home soil suffered by India in just more than a year. In 2024, little-fancied New Zealand had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season also.

After being third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, why India have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Currently, India appear to be beatable on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with before.

Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why 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 just a few causes.

Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was obvious in the showings of the team.

Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in ability and attitude, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press