Invincible No More: Why India's Test Match Standing Has Crumbled

India's shocking 0-2 series loss to the Proteas in the just finished Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, the visiting team handed India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, contrary to predictions. It was the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and India's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum gained during the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of several players - including head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Vanishes

The new-look squad's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the beginning of the home campaign strengthened that view, before the Proteas turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill got injured quickly in the first Test and was ruled out in the series. Yet that does not excuse or justify the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers took a hit, and a few members aspiring to long red-ball careers were revealed to be not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied the Kiwis had pulled off a remarkable 3-0 triumph which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa could damage the team's chances of making the decider of this season also.

From number three in the WTC rankings prior to the contest, India have been relegated to fifth place. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - including against the mighty Aussies. However the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for that confidence.

Reasons for the Slump

India's vulnerability in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. However, why India have performed so poorly in Tests on home soil in recent times is still bewildering.

Since the turn of the century, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on surfaces that helped spin and aided their squad, the hosts dominated all comers. The occasional loss, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an anomaly.

Today, India seem vulnerable at home.

Against New Zealand in last year and the Proteas currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to suit their strengths failed miserably, as the opposition exploited them better, beating India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because home surfaces have been changed from turners to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to perform better in foreign conditions.

Others highlight that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has reduced the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them in the past.

Although there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why the side's results on home soil have seen such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

Most former players point to a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to one or two factors.

Experts and participants have highlighted multiple deficiencies after India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, lack of preparation, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the team.

Members like 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 spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - fulfilled their ability and standing - but inadequately to secure victories.

Management Questions

The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

During his post-series press