Invincible A Thing of the Past: The Reasons The Indian Test Match Legacy Has Crumbled

India's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recently concluded red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It marked South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second defeat at home in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory built over the past six months has almost disappeared and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in England this season, under a different skipper, pointed to a seamless changeover after the almost concurrent departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the domestic season strengthened that view, until the Proteas arrived to deliver a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the format.

Concerning History

This was the second series sweep at home suffered by India in just over a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 victory which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of making the decider of this cycle too.

After being third in the WTC table ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a major plus - even against the strong Australian side. But the disasters against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests at home lately is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were considered unbeatable in Test cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an aberration.

Today, India appear to be beatable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The tracks they developed to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from spinning tracks to fast tracks to train the squad to perform better overseas.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers take part, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.

While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not only a couple of reasons.

Experts and participants have pointed to several failings after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the performances of the squad.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their carelessness, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.

Management Questions

The analysis also included the entire setup - the selection panel and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the scrutiny was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press