🔗 Share this article Unconquerable No More: The Reasons India's Test Cricket Reputation Lies in Ruins India's Rishabh Pant walks back following his wicket in the second India-South Africa Test Match The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished Test series has plunged the side into crisis. Earlier this week, the visiting team inflicted upon India their heaviest loss in Test cricket, against all odds. This represented South Africa's maiden series victory in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and India's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss. The positive trajectory established in the previous half-year has largely dissipated and the prospects of multiple squad members - as well as head mentor the coach - now hang in the balance. Early Optimism Disappears The young team's strong showing in England this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of key players R Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli. An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the home campaign boosted that belief, before the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat. India were somewhat unlucky that captain Gill suffered an injury very early in the initial match and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the squad of the terribly sub-par display in each match against South Africa. Some big reputations suffered, and multiple individuals hoping for lengthy Test careers were exposed as not up to the mark - technically or mentally - for the format. The Indian head coach Gambhir is being questioned following consecutive Test defeats Concerning History This represented the second whitewash at home suffered by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 triumph which effectively cost India a berth in the World Test Championship (WTC) final. The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of qualifying for the showpiece of this edition too. From number three in the WTC rankings before the series, the side have been relegated to fifth place. Although nine more Tests are remaining, half of these are against Australia. Ordinarily, playing at home would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa offer no room for such assurance. Causes of the Fall India's weakness in Test cricket has been badly exposed. That said, the reason India have performed so poorly in Tests at home lately is continues to confuse. Since the turn of the century, the Indian cricket team were considered invincible in red-ball cricket in home conditions. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that assisted spinners and aided their squad, the hosts brooked no opposition. The occasional loss, like in 2012-13 against England, was viewed as an exception. Today, the team look to be easy pickings at home. Versus New Zealand in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The pitches they prepared to favor their game went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, outplaying India's batsmen and bowlers when it counted the most. The Core Issue A few experts argue that the Indian team is floundering in home conditions because local wickets have been modified from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to train the squad to do well overseas. A few mention that the domestic T20 league, in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would pose to them in the past. While there is some truth in both analyses, it does not clarify why India's performances on home soil have experienced such a staggering decline. South Africa's Harmer ended with a best-ever figures - the most by any player in a Test series in India Several Weaknesses Most former players diagnose a multi-faceted challenge, not just a few causes. Experts and participants have pointed to multiple deficiencies post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, questionable picks, overconfidence, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and prioritising limited-overs over Test cricket. This was obvious in the showings of the side. Players like Rishabh Pant and Jaiswal, of whom great things were anticipated, paid for their nonchalance, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were looking to cement their spot in the side - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their nonchalant approach. A small number - Ravindra Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins. Management Questions The analysis didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also under fire, fuelled by disappointed supporters and critical former players. Under focus of the examination was head coach Gautam Gambhir. During his post-series press