Unconquerable A Thing of the Past: The Reasons India's Test Cricket Reputation Is in Tatters

The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. It marked South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The positive trajectory built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the prospects of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Disappears

The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a smooth transition following the near-simultaneous exits of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

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

The home side were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill got injured early on in the opening Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the side of the terribly sub-par display in both Tests against South Africa.

Several established players took a hit, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep on home soil endured by India in just more than a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which essentially denied India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the final of this season as well.

From number three in the WTC table before the series, India have fallen to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against Australia. Usually, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas offer no room for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's weakness in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, why India have fared so badly in Test matches on home soil recently is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an aberration.

Today, the team seem beatable in their own backyard.

Facing New Zealand in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been altered from turners to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to succeed in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has taken away the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

While there is a degree of accuracy in these views, it still does not explain the reason India's performances at home have experienced such a staggering decline.

Multiple Failings

Most former players identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.

Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, questionable picks, arrogance, frequent changes of the starting eleven, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Members like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review also included just the players - the selection panel and support staff were also under fire, spurred on by distraught fans and critical former players. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press