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

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the well below standard display in the two games against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of reaching the final of this cycle too.

After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil recently is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an exception.

Now, India seem easy pickings in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been modified from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has reduced the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

While there is some truth in each argument, it still does not explain the reason the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Most former players identify a complicated issue, not just a few causes.

Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the team.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem targeted the entire setup - selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, driven by upset followers and critical former players. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press