India lost the Guwahati Test by a huge margin of 408 runs to concede series 0-2 to Proteas.
Team India suffered their biggest defeat in terms of runs, losing the second Test to South Africa by a whopping margin of 408 runs in Guwahati on Wednesday (November 26).
This was the second time in a span of just 12 months that India ended up being whitewashed at home. Under head coach Gautam Gambhir, the team has now lost five of their last seven home Tests, including a whitewash against New Zealand.
In a video shared on his Instagram account, former India wicketkeeper-batter Dinesh Karthik weighed in on India’s home Test struggles, finding it hard to explain the malaise that has been eating the team in recent times.
“Teams used to be scared to come to India to play Test cricket. Now they must be licking their lips. I mean, a second whitewash in a span of 12 months. In the last 3 series played here in India, 2 have been whitewashes. These are tough times for India in Test cricket and tough decisions might have to be taken. But what is lacking? Is it the quality of players, the inability to play spin? Pacers and spinners are being out-bowled in India. One too many allrounders being played. Nitish Reddy, the nominated allrounder, pace allrounder, has bowled 14 overs across the whole domestic calendar season in Test cricket in India. India had just 2 players who have scored hundred runs in this Test series. South Africa had 7. I mean, c’mon, we are better than that. How can suddenly there be a nosedive in Test cricket?,” Karthik said.
Karthik also pointed out that the constant chopping and changing with the batting order is not helping India’s cause. During the series opener at Eden Gardens, Washington Sundar was India’s No.3 while Sai Sudharsan fulfilled the role in Guwahati.
“In the WTC cycle, 65 Test matches that have been played, India’s No.3 holds the second-worst record in the 1st innings of a Test match averaging 26. That is something for us to ponder about. Who is our No. 3? How much stability are we going to give in. Washington plays at No.3 in Kolkata, Sai Sudharsan is playing No.3 in Guwahati. Is chopping and changing helping India or do we need to give more stability and consistency? What is the answer? It almost feels like this WTC cycle, India have very minimal chances. 2 away games against Sri Lanka, 2 away games against New Zealand and 5 Tests against Australia at home,” he added.
India’s next Test series is scheduled for August 2026, and Karthik urged the team to not forget what had happened against South Africa due to the upcoming white-ball assignments.
“But the next Test match is after 7 months. Are we going to forget this? Are we going to move on saying, ‘ok, that’s afresh season’ By then so much of white ball cricket would have happened and I am sure India are so good at that, we’ll tend to overlook what’s happening in Test cricket right now. That is the big question to ponder. Think. What does it take for this Test team to come back and become as good as they were,” he remarked.