Invincible A Thing of the Past: The Reasons The Indian Test Cricket Standing Lies in Ruins

India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to the Proteas in the just finished red-ball series has left the team reeling.

Earlier this week, the visiting team gave India a record defeat in terms of runs, contrary to predictions. It marked the Proteas' first series win in India in 25 years and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The emerging side's impressive performance in England this season, under a fresh leadership, suggested a seamless changeover post the near-simultaneous departures of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the domestic season enhanced that perception, till the Proteas turned up and handed out a devastating defeat.

The home side were a bit unlucky that leader Shubman Gill suffered an injury quickly in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations took a hit, and several players eyeing extended tenures in Tests were shown as not yet good enough - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a remarkable 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to the Proteas threatens to derail India's prospects of making the showpiece of this season as well.

After being third in the WTC rankings before the series, India have been relegated to number five. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, India were regarded as invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts brooked no opposition. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Today, the team appear to be vulnerable at home.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and the Proteas this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The pitches they curated to help their style went wrong completely, as opponents exploited them better, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been changed from turners to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers participate, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them earlier.

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

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars point to a complex, multi-headed problem, not limited to a few causes.

Analysts and squad members have pointed to several failings after the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and emphasizing white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the side.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were looking to cement their place in the team - were found wanting in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but inadequately to win matches.

Leadership Under Fire

The review didn't spare just the players - team selectors and coaching staff were also criticized, fuelled by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was head coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press