Following the home team's crushing defeat by South Africa in Guwahati on Wednesday, November 26, former India captain Kris Srikkanth expressed the dismay of millions of Indian cricket fans.
Five of the last seven Test matches have been lost at home by a team that formerly destroyed touring teams and established a stronghold admired around the cricket world. This started with New Zealand smashing India 0-3 in November 2024, and now South Africa has crushed them 0-2.
South Africa sealed a 408-run win, handing India their heaviest defeat in Test cricket in terms of runs.
While India was decimated on a spicy pitch in the first Test in Kolkata, conditions were far better in Guwahati. India was expected to dominate, but South Africa overpowered them.
Srikkanth seems worried about India's declining domestic victory rate. Under coach Gautam Gambhir, who took over last year, India has not defeated any Test team in a series, with the exception of Bangladesh and the West Indies.
“Now the problem is you are getting caught on spinning tracks and regular fast-bowling tracks. What do they want now? In Kolkata he said this was the kind of track they wanted. Fine. The pitch in Guwahati was a good batting pitch. Nothing wrong with it. Simon Harmer bowled beautifully,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.
Then came his tongue-in-cheek solution.
“I have a good idea for India to do well. India should play in neutral venues. All Test matches of India should be played in England. There, you get capacity crowds. Indians can plan holidays to the UK and go and watch the matches. You said Indians did very well in England, so they will do well again. No more home tests in India,” he quipped.
India started the current World Test Championship cycle with a young team led by Shubman Gill and managed by Gambhir following the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma, and R Ashwin.
India has never lost two home series in a single year in forty years. The way foreign spinners have outperformed them and their incapacity to bat against spin have become serious issues.
Additionally, Srikkanth criticized head coach Gambhir for his strange reaction after the most recent loss. When asked if he still thought he was the best candidate for the position, Gambhir cited prior successes, such as India winning the Asia Cup and Champions Trophy while he was in charge, and doing well in the England Tests.
“You have to accept criticism. Say, ‘Yes, we made a mistake,’ or say the system is flawed and needs rebuilding. If you’re transparent, it’s fine. Teams lose matches, series, and even home series. But you cannot refuse to accept mistakes.
He alone has to analyze. You removed Abhishek Nayar after the Australia tour. You pointed fingers at him. Then what is this performance? Who’s accountable? Who will question him? He is like the king’s precious little one. At the same time, the players also have to take responsibility. Don’t tell me these batters can’t fight for seven hours. Yes, you may not win the test, but can’t you draw it?” Srikkanth stated.
India does not play another Test until August next year, when they clash with Sri Lanka. India has slipped to the fifth spot in the WTC 2027 points table and has a tough itinerary with two tests away in Sri Lanka and two away in New Zealand before five home tests against Australia in early 2027.
