Unbeatable A Thing of the Past: The Reasons The Indian Test Cricket Standing Has Crumbled

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

In the final match, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' first series win in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just a year after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The momentum built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the beginning of the home season enhanced that perception, until the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a tad unfortunate that leader Gill got injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par showing in each match against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

This was the second series sweep on home soil endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, little-fancied the Kiwis had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which practically cost India a place in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this season as well.

After being third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to fifth place. Even though nine further games are remaining, a majority are against Australia. Ordinarily, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's vulnerability in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. A rare failure, such as in 2012-13 against England, was considered an aberration.

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

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas currently, India were defeated by their own tactics. The surfaces they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is struggling in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to perform better in foreign conditions.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past.

Although there is validity in these views, it still does not explain why the side's results at home have experienced such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have pointed to several failings following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, poor choices, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and emphasizing limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the displays of the squad.

Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis didn't spare just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press