After India’s aura of home invincibility was destroyed by a second series whitewash in a year, batting great Sunil Gavaskar has called for a “post-mortem” of their Test cricket.
In the second Test, South Africa defeated India by a record 408 runs to claim the series 2-0 on Wednesday. Since New Zealand’s 3-0 whitewash just over a year ago, India has lost five of its last seven home Test matches.
“You need to do a thorough post-mortem as to areas that you need to strengthen at the Test level,” Gavaskar told TV channel India Today.
“Bring in an outside perspective. Take Ravi Shastri, Rahul Dravid — your two earlier coaches. Take Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly, Sachin Tendulkar. Sit with them and formulate for the next five years what Indian cricket should be doing.”
Gautam Gambhir, the head coach, has received harsh criticism for frequently shifting the batting order. However, Gavaskar stood up for Gambhir, arguing that the players needed to accept accountability.
“He’s a coach,” said Gavaskar. “The coach can prepare a team. But it’s out there in the middle that the players have to deliver.
“If you’re not prepared to give him credit for the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup win, then please tell me why you want to blame him for the team out there on that 22-yard strip not doing well,” Gavaskar added.
India’s batting performance in the series was poor, with their first innings score of 201 in Guwahati being their highest against Simon Harmer’s brilliant spin attack from South Africa.
In Kolkata, the hosts lost the first Test in three days, then on day five of the second match, they managed just 140 while chasing a massive 549 target.
“There was an aura around the Indian team when playing in India. You can see it disappearing in the distance,” veteran commentator Harsha Bhogle wrote on X.
Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik said: “Teams used to be scared of coming to India to play Test cricket. Now they must be licking their lips.
“A second whitewash in a span of 12 months. These are tough times for India in Test cricket, and tough decisions might have to be taken.”
After drawing 2-2 in England in skipper Shubman Gill’s maiden series in charge following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, India last month recorded a home 2-0 series whitewash over a depleted West Indies.
