Former Indian cricketer Sunil Gavaskar has named that the major contributors behind India's subpar showing against South Africa in the recently-concluded two-match Test series. The Proteas emerged as comprehensive victors in the second Test, inflicting a second home Test series whitewash on India within a span of just over a year after their 0-3 loss to New Zealand in 2024.
Gavaskar claimed that both South Africa and New Zealand (in 2024) gained amply experience of playing in subcontinental conditions
before their series against India commenced. He explained that the lack of preparation time for India before both the series led to their downfall.
"More than things going badly wrong from the Indian point of view, it’s the preparation of both the teams that needs to be lauded. New Zealand played a series in Sri Lanka before coming to India and got used to conditions and pitches. South Africa went to Pakistan in October before coming to India. Their 'A' team was in India playing against India A. Some of those players were prepared, who then came into the Tests. Their preparation was much more thorough than a lot of other teams," stated Gavaskar in a conversation with India Today.
The cricketer-turned-commentator also said that India should not have played white-ball series in the midst of their home season. He remarked that the limited-overs series played Down Under was not something practical.
After India's two-match Test series against West Indies at home, they toured Australia for three ODIs and five T20Is before returning to India to feature in the all-format series against South Africa. The constant shuffling between formats did not provide stability to a few players in Gavaskar's view.
"I think that is the thing that India needs to be very strong about, that Australia doesn't go anywhere during their home season. India should also say to other teams, 'Look, our season is more important. You want to play against us, you come to India'. Playing the ODI series or T20I series in Australia between the two Test series didn't make any sense, but that was a bilateral arrangement that had to be adhered to," he added.
The ODI leg of the series is scheduled to commence on November 30. The five 20-over matches will be played from December 9 to December 19.
