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Big Test Defeat: Ex-Cricketers Slam India After 0–2 Whitewash at Home

Bulletin247 December 02, 2025

 

🔻 Guwahati Catastrophe: The Numbers Tell a Grim Tale

In a shocking turn of events, Indian cricket team suffered a crushing 408-run defeat at the hands of South Africa national cricket team in the second Test at Guwahati — marking India’s biggest loss ever by runs.

Chasing an improbable 549 runs, India folded for just 140 in their second innings. That sealed a 2–0 series sweep for South Africa — their first Test series win on Indian soil in 25 years. 

This defeat comes barely 13 months after another disastrous home series: a 0–3 whitewash by New Zealand national cricket team. The once-feared Indian fortress at home now looks distinctly fragile. 


Former Cricketers Sound the Alarm

🎯 Dinesh Karthik — “Teams Aren’t Scared of India Anymore”

Karthik didn’t mince words in a video reaction — “Teams used to be scared of coming to India to play Test Cricket. Now they must be licking their lips,” he said, pointing out that this is the second whitewash in as many years at home. He lambasted the heavy reliance on all-rounders and questioned the No. 3 batting slot and vague batting order.

He added that with just two Indian batsmen managing fifties or more in the series — compared to seven South African centurions — serious introspection is overdue. 

⚠️ Venkatesh Prasad — “All-Rounder Obsession Is a Mistake”

Prasad, a former pacer, slammed the recent selection strategy. In a post on X, he accused the team management of prioritizing all-rounders over specialists. According to him, India’s slide isn’t about “transition,” but about repeated tactical blunders, poor planning and a failure to learn from mistakes. 

“Test Cricket needs specialists,” he wrote. He described the all-rounder obsession — especially when those all-rounders don't bowl — as a “brain-fade.” 

Disappointment Echoes from Others

Many former players and analysts cast a critical eye on India’s “chaotic” approach. Overuse of all-rounders, constant changes in batting order, and lack of clarity in selection are increasingly being attributed to the team’s downfall. 

In Defence of the Coach: Gautam Gambhir Gets Support

While blows were raining on India’s red-ball strategy, not everyone joined the chorus of blame.

Veteran Sunil Gavaskar came out strongly in Gambhir’s defense — arguing that while a coach can prepare a team, ultimately it’s the players who must deliver. He pointed out that critics stayed silent when India last won the ICC Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup under Gambhir, but rushed to judge after a failure. 

Former all-rounder R Ashwin echoed this sentiment, insisting that criticism should also fall on players failing to deliver in clutch moments, not just coaching.

Even Gambhir himself accepted responsibility for the defeat — but emphasized that “the blame lies with everyone,” urging a collective reckoning rather than scapegoating individuals. He reminded fans of past successes: a hard-fought Test draw in England, and major white-ball titles. 


What Went Wrong — And What Needs Fixing

Multiple analysts have now pointed out a string of underlying flaws:

Poor Test-specific culture: According to critics, the obsession with all-rounders and constant reshuffling has undermined team stability — a prerequisite for Test success. 

Weak batting temperament: The batting collapse in Guwahati and throughout the series has exposed a lack of concentration and technique under pressure. 

Tactical confusion: Questions around selection, batting order, and balance between bowling and batting specialists remain unanswered.

Some former greats have even called for a return to fundamentals — building a Test team around balanced specialists, and restoring clarity and role-definition. 


What’s Next: Is Change Inevitable?

With two successive home Test whitewashes, the pressure on management and selectors is mounting. Fans and experts alike are demanding tougher accountability and a reevaluation of India’s Test structure. Whether that leads to sweeping changes — in team composition, coaching approach or strategy — remains to be seen.

As of now, what’s clear: the red-ball team India once took pride in has lost its edge — and restoring it will require more than just “fixing the batting order.” It will take discipline, stability, and a commitment to giving Test cricket its own identity.

Story: Staff BlazeB
Pics Courtesy: unsplash.com; x.com


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