Unconquerable No More: The Reasons India's Test Match Legacy Lies in Ruins

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

In the final match, the visiting team inflicted upon India a record defeat in terms of runs, against all odds. It marked South Africa's first series win in India in two and a half decades and India's second defeat at home in just 12 months after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The momentum established in the past six months has almost disappeared and the futures of a number of cricketers - as well as head mentor the coach - are now uncertain.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's commendable display in England this summer, under a new captain, pointed to a successful handover after the almost concurrent retirements of veterans Ashwin, Sharma, and Virat Kohli.

A straightforward 2-0 triumph over the Windies at the commencement of the home season boosted that belief, till the Proteas came and inflicted a devastating defeat.

The home side were a tad unfortunate that skipper Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and took no further part in the contest. Yet that neither explains nor absolves the squad of the highly disappointing display in the two games against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and a few members hoping for lengthy Test careers were revealed to be still inadequate - technically or mentally - for the Test cricket.

Concerning History

This represented the second whitewash in home conditions endured by the Indian team in just a year. Last year, underestimated the Kiwis had pulled off a staggering 3-0 victory which practically cost the hosts a berth in the WTC final.

The recent defeat to South Africa risks harming India's chances of reaching the decider of this season also.

From number three in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have been relegated to the fifth spot. Though nine additional matches are remaining, a majority are against the Aussies. Typically, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even when facing the powerful Australians. But the failures against the Kiwis and South Africa offer no room for such assurance.

Reasons for the Slump

The national team's vulnerability in the longer format has been badly exposed. However, the reason the team have struggled so much in Tests on home soil lately is still bewildering.

In the 21st century, the Indian cricket team were considered impregnable in red-ball cricket at home. Under sweltering weather and on surfaces that favored spin bowling and suited their batsmen and bowlers, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in 2012-13 against the English, was considered an anomaly.

Currently, the team look to be beatable in their own backyard.

Against the Kiwis in last year and South Africa this year, the home side were defeated by their own tactics. The tracks they developed to help their style went wrong completely, as rivals used them more effectively, beating the home team's players when it was most crucial.

What's Gone Wrong?

A few experts argue that the Indian team is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been changed from turners to quick wickets to train the squad to perform better overseas.

Some point out that the domestic T20 league, in which several international stars take part, has removed the unfamiliarity and challenge Indian conditions would present to them earlier.

While there is some truth in these views, it fails to account for why the side's results on home soil have witnessed such a staggering decline.

Several Weaknesses

Many past stars diagnose a complex, multi-headed problem, not just one or two factors.

Critics and players have identified multiple deficiencies following India's disappointing performance to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, inadequate readiness, flawed selections, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the starting eleven, and emphasizing white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the side.

Cricketers like Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, paid for their nonchalance, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Jurel - who were aiming to establish their position in the squad - were found wanting in technique and temperament, facing the fallout for their casual attitude.

Just a few - Ravindra Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Washington Sundar - did justice to their ability and standing - but inadequately to claim wins.

Leadership Under Fire

The analysis targeted the entire setup - team selectors and support staff were also questioned, spurred on by disappointed supporters and outspoken ex-cricketers. Under focus of the criticism was mentor Gambhir.

At his post-series press