Unbeatable A Thing of the Past: The Reasons The Indian Test Cricket Reputation Is in Tatters

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

Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the previous half-year has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The young team's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, indicated a seamless changeover post the close together retirements of stalwarts Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 win over the Windies at the start of the home season enhanced that perception, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a crushing loss.

India were somewhat unlucky that leader Gill suffered an injury early on in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. But that does not excuse or justify the squad of the highly disappointing performance in both Tests against South Africa.

Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had achieved a surprising 3-0 win which essentially denied the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage India's prospects of qualifying for the final of this cycle too.

Previously ranked third in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have fallen to number five. Even though nine further games are remaining, five of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even against the powerful Australians. Yet the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Roots of the Decline

The national team's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why the team have struggled so much in Test matches on home soil lately is continues to confuse.

Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were seen as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. A rare failure, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.

Today, the team appear to be easy pickings on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas currently, the home side were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they prepared to help their style failed miserably, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that India is floundering at home because home surfaces have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to perform better abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players play, has removed the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would present to them earlier.

Even though there is some truth in each argument, it does not clarify why the team's showings at home have seen such a dramatic drop.

Various Shortcomings

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

Experts and participants have pointed to various flaws post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, overconfidence, regular alterations of the playing XI, and emphasizing limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the team.

Players such as Pant and Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their place in the team - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their skill and fame - but not well enough to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis also included not only the cricketers - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. At the centre of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir.

At his post-series press