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The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, South Africa gave India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition post the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over West Indies at the start of the home campaign boosted that belief, till the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing performance in the two games against South Africa.

Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep on home soil experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a spot in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this season too.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an exception.

Now, India appear to be vulnerable in their own backyard.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them before.

While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to one or two factors.

Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the side.

Players such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to win matches.

Management Questions

The review didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press