Invincible A Thing of the Past: Why India's Test Match Reputation Is in Tatters

India's surprising 0-2 loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, defying expectations. It marked the Proteas' first series win 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 momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of several players - along with team coach the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The young team's impressive performance in England this season, under a new captain, pointed to a seamless changeover after the close together departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured early on in the first Test and did not participate again in the series. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.

Several established players suffered, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were revealed to be not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Worrying Trend

It was the second whitewash at home experienced by India in just a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 win which essentially denied India a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this edition too.

After being third in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, the side have fallen to number five. Though nine additional matches are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even when facing the strong Australian side. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, the reason India have fared so badly in Test matches at home lately is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception.

Currently, India seem easy pickings on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they prepared to favor their game failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to fast tracks to prepare players to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players play, has removed the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would pose to them before.

Even though there is some truth in both analyses, it still does not explain why India's performances at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Several Weaknesses

The majority of ex-cricketers point to a multi-faceted challenge, not only one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies post the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and favoring white-ball over the longer format.

This was evident in the performances of the side.

Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, facing the fallout for their lackadaisical method.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The post-mortem also included just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also criticized, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the examination was mentor Gambhir.

During his post-series press