The Indian team is currently facing the heat following their inferior show against South Africa in the ongoing Test series at home. After being outclassed on a turner in Kolkata, India are again playing catch-up on a relatively easier batting pitch in Guwahati, with South Africa inching closer to a historic whitewash.
India have lost four of their last eight Test matches at home, all under head coach Gautam Gambhir. This includes a 0-3 whitewash at the hands of New Zealand, which derailed their ICC World Test Championship campaign as they didn’t make the final for the first time in three attempts.
Their hopes of a third WTC final have already taken a hit after a loss in the first Test at Eden Gardens, and another defeat could severely dent their
hopes.
The constant changes in the batting order are also being closely scrutinised, especially after the quick promotion and demotion of all-rounder Washington Sundar.
Sundar batted at no. 3 in both innings of the Kolkata Test. However, in the second Test, he was again pushed down the batting order to no. 8, with Sai Sudharsan returning to no. 3 after being benched for the series opener.
Former India selector Dodda Ganesh has branded the current Test squad as the most “confused team” ever.
“Washington Sundar, after playing two quality innings in the last test at no. 3, inexplicably gets demoted to no. 8, in the very next test. Never seen a more confused Indian test team ever,” Ganesh posted on X (formerly Twitter).
Washington Sundar, after playing two quality inns in the last test at no 3, inexplicably gets demoted to no 8, in the very next test. Never seen a more confused Indian test team ever #INDvSA
— Dodda Ganesh | ದೊಡ್ಡ ಗಣೇಶ್ (@doddaganesha) November 24, 2025
Responding to South Africa’s first innings total of 489, India were bowled out for 201, conceding a massive 288-run lead to the tourists. Taking a further dig at the team, Ganesh said the only solace is the potential scoreline.
“Chalo 2-0 to SA is not as bad as losing 3-0 to NZ. That’s the only solace,” he posted.
In another post, he declared that South Africa will definitely not lose the Guwahati Test.
“There’s only one team that can win this test from here, and that’s definitely not India,” he wrote.
