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

In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum built over the past six months has all but vanished and the futures of several players - including head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a smooth transition following the almost concurrent exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

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

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that does not excuse or justify the side of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and multiple individuals aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a surprising 3-0 triumph which essentially denied the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to South Africa threatens to derail the team's hopes of reaching the decider of this cycle too.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - including against the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and benefited their players, the hosts dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an aberration.

Now, India appear to be beatable at home.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The tracks they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well overseas.

A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.

While there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have identified multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not well enough to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem targeted just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press