Follow UsSouth Africa had just been wrapped up for 489 all out.
It seemed like India would continue effortlessly from where South Africa left off in the second Test in Guwahati, on November 24 (Monday). But then they endured one of the horrific days at home in the recent past, as the star-studded batting unit went from 95/1 to 105/5 in just six overs.
For a notable while, Washington Sundar put on a show with Kuldeep Yadav, with a partnership of 72 off 208 balls to keep India alive in the clash. However, their efforts were futile as the hosts were bowled out for just 201 on the best batting surface in the series. It left former Indian all-rounder Ravi Shastri unhappy, as Shastri slammed the Indian team for their ‘ordinary batting’.
“This is still a good surface. This not a pitch to be 142/7. Ordinary batting. India won’t be one bit happy. You have to put your hands up and say that’s very ordinary batting,” Ravi Shastri said on commentary, reported the Indian Express.
While South Africa did bowl well in Guwahati, most of the damage were self-inflicted as the Indian batters went downtown for glory. The middle-order (Sai Sudharsan, Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant) notably threw their wickets away at the worst possible time, as the Men in Blue are heavily behind in the clash.
“Definite question marks about Indian batsmen. India don’t play a Test series next year at home. They have a long time to reassess what to do at Test match level. This performance against South Africa will definitely hurt,” Abhinav Mukund, former India opener, added.
India’s recent record at home is quite shocking, as they have lost to New Zealand 0-3 in humiliating fashion, and also lost the series opener against South Africa in Kolkata. Another loss here would put Gautam Gambhir under undue pressure, given India’s mixed results under his coaching tenure.