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India's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the just finished Test series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of multiple squad members - along with head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

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

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format.

Concerning History

This was the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 victory which practically cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the showpiece of this cycle as well.

From number three in the WTC table before the series, the side have dropped to number five. Although nine further games are yet to be played, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was considered an aberration.

Now, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is failing at home because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to do well in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would challenge them with before.

Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a complicated issue, not just a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings after India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, frequent changes of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was obvious in the displays of the side.

Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Management Questions

The post-mortem didn't spare just the players - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press