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

Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory gained during the past six months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a successful handover following the almost concurrent departures of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. However, that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second series sweep at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the final of this edition as well.

After being third in the Test championship standings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas provide no basis for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, why the team have performed so poorly in Test matches on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as unbeatable in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an exception.

Now, the team appear to be vulnerable on home turf.

Against New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, beating the home team's players when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is struggling at home because home surfaces have been modified from spinning tracks to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the IPL, in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.

Although there is validity in each argument, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars point to a complicated issue, not limited to a couple of reasons.

Critics and players have highlighted several failings after the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Members such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was team coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press