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

In the final match, South Africa gave India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, against all odds. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has largely dissipated and the futures of several players - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Disappears

The young team's strong showing in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of key players R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the commencement of the home season strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a fell blow.

India were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were exposed as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

It was the second whitewash at home endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this season too.

From number three in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine further games are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, playing at home would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an anomaly.

Currently, India look to be beatable at home.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to do well abroad.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would challenge them with in the past.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the side.

Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.

Management Questions

The post-mortem didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press