Invincible No More: The Reasons India's Test Match Reputation Has Crumbled

The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, South Africa handed India a record loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented the Proteas' maiden series victory in India in 25 years and India's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum gained during the last several months has almost disappeared and the prospects of several players - along with head mentor the coach - are under scrutiny.

Initial Hope Vanishes

The new-look squad's commendable display in the UK this summer, under a fresh leadership, suggested a smooth transition after the near-simultaneous departures of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 win over West Indies at the beginning of the home season boosted that belief, before the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

India were somewhat unlucky that skipper Shubman Gill was injured quickly in the initial match and did not participate again in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in each match against South Africa.

Some big reputations took a hit, and several players hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the longer format.

Worrying Trend

It was the second clean sweep at home suffered by India in just a year. Last year, little-fancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 win which practically cost India a spot in the WTC final.

The fresh failure to the Proteas could damage the team's prospects of making the showpiece of this season too.

From number three in the WTC table ahead of the matches, India have dropped to number five. Even though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, performing in familiar conditions would be a major plus - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against the Kiwis and the Proteas leave little scope for such comfort.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in the longer format has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on tracks that helped spin and aided their squad, India faced little challenge. The occasional loss, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Currently, India seem vulnerable on home turf.

Versus the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were hoisted by their own petard. The surfaces they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the home team's players when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Some suggest that the Indian team is failing at home because domestic pitches have been modified from turners to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to perform better overseas.

A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars participate, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge home wickets would present to them earlier.

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

Various Shortcomings

Many past stars identify a multi-faceted challenge, not just one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified several failings following the team's humiliating loss to the South Africans: underestimating the opposition, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the team lineup, and favoring limited-overs over the longer format.

This was evident in the displays of the side.

Members such as Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - came up short in technique and temperament, paying a heavy price for their lackadaisical method.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - lived up to their skill and fame - but not sufficiently to secure victories.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis didn't spare not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by distraught fans and vocal past stars. At the centre of the examination was team coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press