Unconquerable A Thing of the Past: Why The Indian Test Match Standing Is in Tatters

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

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, defying expectations. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in a quarter-century and India's second home series loss in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss.

The positive trajectory built over the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

Early Optimism Disappears

The emerging side's impressive performance in the UK this summer, under a different skipper, suggested a successful handover post the almost concurrent retirements of key players Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over the Windies at the start of the home campaign strengthened that view, till the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill suffered an injury very early in the first Test and was ruled out in the contest. But that neither explains nor absolves the team of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and several players hoping for extended tenures in Tests were shown as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the longer format.

Concerning History

This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by India in just over a year. Last year, unfancied the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a spot in the WTC final.

The latest loss to the Proteas threatens to derail the team's prospects of reaching the decider of this cycle too.

After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Usually, competing on home turf would be a huge advantage - even when facing the mighty Aussies. But the disasters against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Test matches at home recently is still bewildering.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an aberration.

Now, the team appear to be beatable in their own backyard.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and the Proteas this year, India were beaten at their own game. The surfaces they curated to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, outplaying the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to fast tracks to train the squad to do well abroad.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players participate, has taken away the surprise and difficulty subcontinental pitches would pose to them in the past.

Although there is validity in both analyses, it still does not explain the reason India's performances on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players identify a complex, multi-headed problem, not just a few causes.

Experts and participants have identified several failings post the team's disappointing performance to the South Africans: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, regular alterations of the team lineup, and prioritising limited-overs over the longer format.

This was obvious in the showings of the side.

Cricketers like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their position in the squad - fell short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their nonchalant approach.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not well enough to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The review targeted just the players - selectors and coaching staff were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press