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India's surprising 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent red-ball series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was South Africa's initial series triumph in India in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory gained during the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the almost concurrent retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over West Indies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans arrived to deliver a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that skipper Gill was injured early on in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

This represented the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a staggering 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the decider of this cycle too.

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on tracks that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was seen as an exception.

Currently, India look to be easy pickings in their own backyard.

Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as the opposition capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What Happened?

Some suggest that the Indian team is struggling at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty home wickets would present to them in the past.

While there is validity in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.

Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies after India's embarrassing defeat to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not well enough to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis targeted just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press