NEW DELHI: India’s long protected fortress in Test cricket has finally cracked. A side that once looked untouchable at home, carrying decade long streaks and relentless dominance, is now battling a rapid and unexpected decline.

The latest setback came in the South Africa series, where the visitors whitewashed India 2-0. South Africa looked sharper in all areas, handing India their biggest defeat by runs and completing their first series win in the country after 25 years.

Before looking at how this slide began, India’s recent numbers at home show how tough this phase has become.

A new low at home for India in tests

--Only 3rd time India lose a series at home in consecutive years

--First time in 25 years India lose 5 Tests in a two season stretch

--First time in 66 years India lose 5 matches within a span of 7 months

--India suffer their largest Test defeat by runs (408)

--South Africa win their first Test series in India after 25 years

The struggles under coach Gautam Gambhir

Under Gautam Gambhir, India’s problems started last year when New Zealand shocked them with a 3 0 whitewash under Rohit Sharma. That defeat broke India’s long streak of home control and exposed issues that were easy to ignore earlier.

The troubles deepened soon after the Border Gavaskar Trophy loss in Australia. That series defeat led to major farewells, as Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and Ravichandran Ashwin retired from Test cricket. Their exits left a big gap in experience and stability.

South Africa’s clean sweep has now pushed India further back. The team looked short on answers and far from the sharp, settled unit they once were on home soil.

India have also missed out on the World Test Championship final after making the last two. The overall run shows how quickly the team has slipped in Test cricket.