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India's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's first series win in the subcontinent in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm established in the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The new-look squad's impressive performance in the UK this season, under a different skipper, suggested a smooth transition post the near-simultaneous retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas came and inflicted a crushing loss.

India were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers suffered, and several players hoping for long red-ball careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep in home conditions experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a berth in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's prospects of making the final of this cycle as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings before the series, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Although nine additional matches are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the disasters against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's weakness in the longer format has been badly exposed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on pitches that assisted spinners and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India dominated all comers. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, the team appear to be beatable on home turf.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths failed miserably, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is struggling in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to succeed in foreign conditions.

Some point out that the IPL, in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

Although there is a degree of accuracy in both analyses, it fails to account for the reason the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

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

Experts and participants have highlighted various flaws following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, poor choices, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the squad.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their place in the team - came up short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

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

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis also included just the players - the selection panel and coaching staff were also criticized, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press