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India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Just days ago, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm gained during the previous half-year has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, pointed to a seamless changeover following the close together exits of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

An easy 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans arrived to deliver a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured early on in the initial match and took no further part in the series. But that fails to account for the team of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members aspiring to extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions suffered by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had achieved a remarkable 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage India's chances of qualifying for the showpiece of this cycle as well.

After being third in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Though nine further games are still to come, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been significantly highlighted. That said, why the team have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil recently is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was seen as an exception.

Currently, India appear to be beatable at home.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they developed to help their style backfired spectacularly, as rivals exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that India is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to do well overseas.

Others highlight that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Most former players identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to multiple deficiencies following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the team.

Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The review didn't spare not only the cricketers - selectors and backroom team were also under fire, spurred on by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press