Team India are facing a monumental task to save the second Test against South Africa in Guwahati and a potential series whitewash at home.

Trailing 0-1 in the two-match series, India ended the penultimate day on 27/2, needing 522 more runs for victory with just eight wickets in hand.

India’s misery continued in the morning session on Day 5, losing nightwatchman Kuldeep Yadav, Dhruv Jurel and stand-in skipper Rishabh Pant to find themselves reeling at 58/5. In the second session, Sai Sudharsan’s 139-ball vigil for 14 runs also came to an end as the hosts were reduced to 95/6.

As India stand on the verge of a second home Test series whitewash in 12 months, Virat Kohli's brother, Vikas Kohli, launched a scathing attack on head coach Gautam Gambhir and the Ajit Agarkar-led selection committee, holding them accountable for the team’s steep decline in a format they once dominated.

His posts on social media platform 'Threads' came soon after India lost two quick wickets in their chase of 549 on Day 4 in Guwahati.

"There was a time that we played to win even in overseas conditions.... Now we are playing to save the match....even in india.. This is what happens when u try to boss around and change things unnecessary which were not broken....," Vikas wrote in the Threads post, which he later deleted.

In a separate post, Vikas took a dig at the BCCI, stressing that Rohit Sharma and Virat Kohli did not step away from Test cricket but were “removed.”

He also pointed out the stark difference between the approach of both teams in this series, saying the Proteas stuck to the basics of “playing a proper Test match team” while India opted to sideline senior players, overload the XI with all-rounders, and even promote Washington Sundar up to No. 3.

The other post read: "So lets break it down: Team India strategy: remove senior experienced players. Remove proper 3/4/5 batmen. Play bowler at no 3. Use all allrounders…….

“SOUTH AFRICA STRATEGY: Play proper test match team: Specialist openers, Specialist no 3/4/5/6 batters, Specialist spinners, Specialist fast bowlers and maybe 1 all rounder …

“Though I really want team India to win but questions needs to be asked now… WHO IS RESPONSIBLE???"

Speaking of India’s dominance at home before Gambhir assumed charge as head coach, the team didn’t lose a single Test series at home between December 2012 and October 2024. It was a team shaped under Kohli’s leadership before the baton was passed to Rohit Sharma in early 2022.

Not only were India unbeatable at home, Kohli’s side also became one of the most formidable travelling units ever, winning back-to-back Test series in Australia, drawing in England, and comfortably thrashing teams like West Indies and Sri Lanka in their own den.