Invincible No More: Why India's Test Cricket Standing Lies in Ruins

India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

Earlier this week, South Africa inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It was the Proteas' initial series triumph in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's second home series loss in just a year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm built over the last several months has largely dissipated and the careers of a number of cricketers - as well as head coach the coach - now hang in the balance.

Initial Hope Disappears

The emerging side's commendable display in the UK this season, under a new captain, suggested a successful handover post the near-simultaneous departures of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 victory over West Indies at the commencement of the home campaign boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that captain Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. But that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations were damaged, and a few members eyeing long red-ball careers were revealed to be not yet good enough - in skill or mindset - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

It was the second series sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the WTC final.

The latest loss to South Africa could damage India's chances of making the final of this cycle also.

After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, India have fallen to number five. Though nine more Tests are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, playing at home would be a huge advantage - even when facing the powerful Australians. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and the Proteas provide no basis for that confidence.

Roots of the Decline

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason the team have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, the Indian cricket team were regarded as impregnable in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that assisted spinners and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against the English, was considered an aberration.

Currently, India seem beatable on home turf.

Versus New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as the opposition exploited them better, surpassing the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What Happened?

A few experts argue that India is struggling in home conditions because local wickets have been changed from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to get cricketers ready to succeed overseas.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which many overseas players take part, has reduced the mystery and hardship subcontinental pitches would present to them in the past.

While there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the side's results on home soil have seen such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars diagnose a complicated issue, not only a few causes.

Critics and players have highlighted various flaws following India's humiliating loss to the South Africans: not respecting the foe, poor preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and prioritising white-ball over Test cricket.

This was clear in the showings of the squad.

Cricketers like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their position in the squad - came up short in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - lived up to their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The post-mortem also included not only the cricketers - team selectors and backroom team were also under fire, driven by upset followers and outspoken ex-cricketers. In the spotlight of the criticism was team coach Gambhir.

In his post-series press