Unconquerable No More: Why The Indian Red-Ball Cricket Reputation Is in Tatters

The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 loss to the Proteas in the recently concluded Test series has plunged the side into crisis.

In the final match, the visiting team handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. It was South Africa's maiden series victory in India in two and a half decades and the host nation's another home failure in just a year after a 12-year invincible streak.

The winning rhythm established in the last several months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as team coach Gautam Gambhir - are under scrutiny.

Early Optimism Disappears

The emerging side's strong showing in England this summer, under a new captain, suggested a smooth transition following the close together exits of key players Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

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

India were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill got injured very early in the initial match and was ruled out in the series. However, that fails to account for the team of the highly disappointing showing in the two games against the opposition.

Several established players were damaged, and multiple individuals hoping for long red-ball careers were exposed as not up to the mark - in ability or temperament - for the format.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second clean sweep in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just more than a year. Last year, unfancied New Zealand had secured a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a place in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming India's chances of reaching the showpiece of this cycle as well.

After being third in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have dropped to fifth place. Though nine additional matches are yet to be played, half of these are against the Aussies. Ordinarily, performing in familiar conditions would be a significant benefit - even when facing the mighty Aussies. However the failures against New Zealand and the Proteas leave little scope for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. However, the reason India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on tracks that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, the hosts faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against the English, was viewed as an anomaly.

Today, India look to be vulnerable at home.

Facing the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they curated to favor their game backfired spectacularly, as opponents used them more effectively, surpassing the Indian batters and bowlers when it mattered most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is floundering at home because domestic pitches have been altered from spinning tracks to quick wickets to get cricketers ready to do well abroad.

Others highlight that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars play, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would present to them before.

Although there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for the reason the team's showings at home have experienced such a sharp fall.

Various Shortcomings

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

Critics and players have highlighted multiple deficiencies following India's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, poor preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, frequent changes of the team lineup, and prioritising white-ball over the longer format.

This was obvious in the performances of the side.

Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in ability and attitude, suffering the consequences for their casual attitude.

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

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis targeted not only the cricketers - the selection panel and backroom team were also questioned, spurred on by upset followers and vocal past stars. At the centre of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press