Unconquerable A Thing of the Past: The Reasons The Indian Test Cricket Standing Is in Tatters

The Indian cricket team's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the recent red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. This represented the Proteas' first series win in India in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The winning rhythm gained during the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of several players - including team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The young team's commendable display in the UK this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a successful handover after the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign enhanced that perception, till the South Africans came and inflicted a crushing loss.

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Shubman Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the well below standard display in each match against South Africa.

Several established players suffered, and several players aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a remarkable 3-0 win which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the Test championship finale.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this season as well.

Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to number five. Even though nine more Tests are yet to be played, half of these are against Australia. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the powerful Australians. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been significantly highlighted. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an exception.

Today, India look to be vulnerable on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been modified from turners to fast tracks to prepare players to do well abroad.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would pose to them before.

While there is validity in these views, it does not clarify why India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players point to a complicated issue, not just one or two factors.

Analysts and squad members have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the performances of the side.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their skill and fame - but not well enough to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis also included just the players - 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 Gambhir.

At his post-series press