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

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in a quarter-century and India's second defeat at home in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with team coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a successful handover post the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were a tad unfortunate that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. However, that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in both Tests against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and multiple individuals aspiring to long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second whitewash in home conditions experienced by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage the team's prospects of making the final of this cycle too.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to the fifth spot. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason the team have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and aided their squad, India brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, India seem vulnerable at home.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is floundering in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to do well in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.

Although there is some truth in these views, it does not clarify the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

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

Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was clear in the showings of the team.

Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but inadequately to secure victories.

Leadership Under Fire

The review targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gautam Gambhir.

During his post-series press