🔗 Share this article Unbeatable A Thing of the Past: The Reasons The Indian Test Match Reputation Is in Tatters The Indian Rishabh Pant heads to the pavilion after his dismissal in the second India-South Africa Test India's unexpected 0-2 defeat to South Africa in the just finished red-ball series has plunged the side into crisis. Just days ago, the visiting team handed India a record loss in Test cricket, defying expectations. It was South Africa's first series win in India in 25 years and the host nation's another home failure in just 12 months after a decade-plus without a home loss. The positive trajectory built over the last several months has all but vanished and the prospects of several players - as well as head coach Gautam Gambhir - are now uncertain. A Promising Start Vanishes The young team's impressive performance in England this summer, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover after the close together exits of stalwarts Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli. A straightforward 2-0 triumph over West Indies at the start of the home season boosted that belief, until the South Africans came and inflicted a devastating defeat. India were somewhat unlucky that leader Shubman Gill was injured very early in the first Test and took no further part in the series. Yet that fails to account for the side of the highly disappointing performance in each match against the opposition. Some big reputations suffered, and a few members aspiring to lengthy Test careers were exposed as still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket. The Indian head coach Gambhir is under scrutiny following consecutive Test defeats Concerning History It was the second whitewash on home soil suffered by the Indian team in just more than a year. In 2024, unfancied New Zealand had pulled off a surprising 3-0 victory which effectively cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale. The latest loss to the Proteas could damage India's hopes of making the decider of this cycle as well. Previously ranked third in the Test championship standings prior to the contest, the side have been relegated to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are still to come, half of these are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a significant benefit - even against the powerful Australians. However the disasters against the Kiwis and South Africa leave little scope for such comfort. Causes of the Fall The national team's frailty in red-ball cricket has been clearly revealed. Nevertheless, why India have fared so badly in Tests on home soil in recent times is continues to confuse. In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were seen as unbeatable in red-ball cricket at home. In hot, humid conditions and on pitches that helped spin and benefited their players, India dominated all comers. The odd series defeat, like in the 2012-13 season against England, was viewed as an exception. Today, India look to be vulnerable in their own backyard. Against New Zealand in last year and South Africa this year, India were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they curated to favor their game failed miserably, as the opposition used them more effectively, outplaying the home team's players when it counted the most. What Happened? A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing at home because local wickets have been altered from spinning tracks to pace-friendly pitches to prepare players to perform better overseas. Some point out that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which numerous foreign cricketers play, has taken away the unfamiliarity and challenge subcontinental pitches would pose to them earlier. While there is some truth in these views, it still does not explain why the team's showings on home soil have experienced such a dramatic drop. The Proteas' Simon Harmer ended with a record haul - the most by any bowler in a Test series in India Various Shortcomings The majority of ex-cricketers identify a multi-faceted challenge, not limited to a couple of reasons. Analysts and squad members have identified several failings post India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: not respecting the foe, inadequate readiness, questionable picks, arrogance, constant chopping and changing of the playing XI, and favoring white-ball over Test cricket. This was evident in the showings of the squad. Cricketers such as Rishabh Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom high hopes were held, were punished for their lack of application, while Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - fell short in skill and mindset, facing the fallout for their casual attitude. Just a few - Jadeja, Jasprit Bumrah, Kuldeep Yadav, Mohammed Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins. Coaching Scrutiny The post-mortem didn't spare the entire setup - the selection panel and coaching staff were also questioned, fuelled by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the scrutiny was team coach Gambhir. At his post-series press