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

Just days ago, South Africa handed India their heaviest defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm established in the past six months has all but vanished and the prospects of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans R Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured early on in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard showing in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and a few members hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by India in just a year. In 2024, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to South Africa could damage the team's chances of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Although nine more Tests are still to come, five of these are against Australia. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on tracks that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.

Currently, the team appear to be beatable at home.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to do well overseas.

Some point out that the IPL, in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.

While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

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

Experts and participants have identified various flaws following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the side.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press