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

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

Just days ago, the visiting team gave India a record Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in 25 years and the host nation's second home series loss in just 12 months after a 12-year invincible streak.

The momentum established in the last several months has all but vanished and the careers of multiple squad members - including head mentor Gautam Gambhir - now hang in the balance.

Early Optimism Fades Quickly

The young team's strong showing in the UK this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the almost concurrent exits of veterans R Ashwin, Sharma, and Kohli.

A facile 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans turned up and handed out a fell blow.

India were a bit unlucky that captain Shubman Gill suffered an injury early on in the initial match and did not participate again in the contest. Yet that fails to account for the side of the well below standard performance in both Tests against the opposition.

A number of star cricketers were damaged, and multiple individuals eyeing extended tenures in Tests were exposed as not yet good enough - in ability or temperament - for the Test cricket.

A Troubling Pattern

It was the second clean sweep on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had secured a staggering 3-0 triumph which effectively cost the hosts a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final.

The recent defeat to the Proteas risks harming the team's hopes of making the showpiece of this edition as well.

From number three in the WTC rankings ahead of the matches, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine more Tests are still to come, a majority are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - including against the strong Australian side. Yet the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa provide no basis for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

India's weakness in Test cricket has been clearly revealed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Test matches at home in recent times is continues to confuse.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were seen as invincible in Test cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, like in 2012-13 against England, was seen as an exception.

Now, the team seem vulnerable on home turf.

Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa currently, the home side were hoisted by their own petard. The pitches they developed to suit their strengths backfired spectacularly, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it mattered most.

The Core Issue

A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering at home because local wickets have been altered from turners to quick wickets to prepare players to perform better overseas.

Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which many overseas players take part, has taken away the mystery and hardship home wickets would pose to them before.

Even though there is a degree of accuracy in each argument, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have witnessed such a sharp fall.

Multiple Failings

The majority of ex-cricketers diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a couple of reasons.

Analysts and squad members have highlighted various flaws following the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underestimating the opposition, lack of preparation, flawed selections, arrogance, regular alterations of the playing XI, and favoring limited-overs over red-ball cricket.

This was evident in the showings of the side.

Members like Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, suffered for their carelessness, while Sai Sudarshan, Nitish Kumar Reddy, and Jurel - who were hoping to secure their spot in the side - were found wanting in skill and mindset, paying a heavy price for their casual attitude.

A small number - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Management Questions

The post-mortem targeted just the players - team selectors and backroom team were also questioned, fuelled by distraught fans and critical former players. At the centre of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

In his post-series press