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The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent 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 marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover following the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 win 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 Shubman Gill got injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the squad of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and several players aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to South Africa risks harming India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. But the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Currently, India seem beatable in their own backyard.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they curated to help their style failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

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

Experts and participants have pointed to several failings post India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, poor choices, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Players like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - team selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press