Unbeatable Not Anymore: The Reasons The Indian Red-Ball Cricket Legacy Lies in Ruins

The Indian cricket team's shocking 0-2 series loss to South Africa in the recent Test series has sent shockwaves through the squad.

In the final match, South Africa handed India their heaviest Test defeat by runs, contrary to predictions. This represented South Africa's initial series triumph in the subcontinent in a quarter-century and the host nation's another home failure in just one year after a 12-year unbeaten run.

The winning rhythm built over the previous half-year has all but vanished and the futures of several players - as well as head coach the coach - are under scrutiny.

A Promising Start Fades Quickly

The emerging side's strong showing in the UK this season, under a new captain, indicated a successful handover following the close together retirements of veterans Ashwin, Rohit Sharma, and Kohli.

An easy 2-0 victory over West Indies at the beginning of the domestic season strengthened that view, till the Proteas came and inflicted a fell blow.

The home side were somewhat unlucky that captain Shubman Gill was injured very early in the opening Test and did not participate again in the contest. However, that neither explains nor absolves the team of the highly disappointing showing in each match against the opposition.

Some big reputations suffered, and a few members eyeing lengthy Test careers were shown as still inadequate - in skill or mindset - for the format.

Concerning History

This represented the second clean sweep at home experienced by the Indian team in just over a year. In 2024, underestimated the Kiwis had secured a staggering 3-0 win which practically cost the hosts a place in the Test championship finale.

The fresh failure to the Proteas risks harming the team's chances of making the showpiece of this season too.

After being third in the WTC table prior to the contest, India have dropped to the fifth spot. Even though nine additional matches are yet to be played, five of these are against the Aussies. Usually, competing on home turf would be a major plus - even against the mighty Aussies. But the debacles against New Zealand and South Africa leave little scope for such assurance.

Causes of the Fall

India's frailty in red-ball cricket has been significantly highlighted. Nevertheless, why India have struggled so much in Tests at home in recent times is remains puzzling.

From the year 2000 onwards, India were regarded as invincible in Test cricket at home. In demanding climates and on pitches that favored spin bowling and benefited their players, India faced little challenge. The odd series defeat, such as in the 2012-13 season against England, was seen as an aberration.

Today, India seem vulnerable at home.

Facing the Kiwis in 2024 and South Africa this year, India were beaten at their own game. The tracks they developed to suit their strengths went wrong completely, as rivals capitalized on them more skillfully, surpassing the home team's players when it counted the most.

What's Gone Wrong?

Certain analysts propose that India is failing in home conditions because domestic pitches have been altered from turners to fast tracks to get cricketers ready to succeed abroad.

A few mention that the Indian Premier League (IPL), in which several international stars take part, has taken away the surprise and difficulty Indian conditions would present to them before.

While there is validity in these views, it fails to account for why the team's showings at home have witnessed such a dramatic drop.

Multiple Failings

Many past stars identify a complicated issue, not limited to a few causes.

Critics and players have highlighted several failings post the team's embarrassing defeat to the Proteas: underrating the rivals, lack of preparation, poor choices, excessive self-belief, regular alterations of the playing XI, and prioritising white-ball over red-ball cricket.

This was clear in the displays of the team.

Cricketers such as Pant and Yashasvi Jaiswal, of whom so much was expected, were punished for their lack of application, while Sai Sudarshan, Reddy, and Dhruv Jurel - who were aiming to establish their spot in the side - came up short in skill and mindset, suffering the consequences for their nonchalant approach.

Only a handful - Jadeja, Bumrah, Kuldeep, Siraj and Sundar - fulfilled their talent and reputation - but not sufficiently to win matches.

Coaching Scrutiny

The analysis targeted the entire setup - selectors and backroom team were also criticized, driven by upset followers and vocal past stars. In the spotlight of the criticism was head coach Gautam Gambhir.

At his post-series press