India suffered a humiliating 408-run defeat against South Africa in Guwahati, casting a harsh light on the current state of the team under head coach Gautam Gambhir.
Despite India's proud cricketing legacy, the team looked disorganized and fragile throughout the match. After a shocking defeat in Kolkata where India couldn't chase 124 runs, Rishabh Pant and team had a horrific outing in Guwahati, losing the match by 408 runs.
The selection choices made by Gambhir have come under intense scrutiny, with former India captain and selector Kris Srikkanth openly criticizing the coach's inconsistent and erratic team selection. Srikkanth questioned the endless chopping and changing of players, highlighting the absence of a settled lineup and questioning
the exclusion of proven performers like Axar Patel.
India's batting was particularly woeful, failing to mount any meaningful resistance against a disciplined South African attack led by Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer. The team's inability to adapt to the conditions, evident in the series of poor shot selections and a lack of temperament, only exacerbated the situation. Captain Rishabh Pant's reckless approach was symptomatic of a side lacking direction. India missed Shubman Gill, but the Proteas were by far the best team across the two matches.
Amid this, Gautam Gambhir has been put on trial. The so-called "trial and error" policy led by Gambhir must be questioned as India faces its biggest Test defeat in terms of runs. Ex-players, fans have hugely criticized the India head coach, who has become the first India head coach in history to suffer two clean sweeps on home soil.
India and Their Lows in Tests
- First time in 25 years India have lost five Tests across two seasons. (3 vs New Zealand, 2 vs South Africa)
- First time in 66 years India lost five Tests in just seven matches.
- India suffered its biggest defeat by runs in Test cricket history.
- For the first time in 30 years, India failed to register a single individual century in a home Test series.
