Gavaskar urges deep review after India’s Test collapse

NEW DELHI: Indian cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has demanded a thorough review of the national Test setup after the team’s reputation as an unbeatable force at home suffered another major blow, following a second series whitewash in less than a year.

South Africa crushed India by a staggering 408 runs in the second Test on Wednesday, sealing a 2-0 series victory and handing the hosts their fifth loss in seven home Tests. The slump stretches back to New Zealand’s 3-0 sweep just over a year ago.

Speaking to India Today, Gavaskar said the situation required a detailed assessment. “A comprehensive post-mortem is needed to figure out what must be strengthened at the Test level,” he said. He urged the board to seek advice from respected former coaches and captains, naming Ravi Shastri, Rahul Dravid, Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly and Sachin Tendulkar as voices who could help shape a five-year plan.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir has been widely criticised for frequent changes to the batting lineup, but Gavaskar pushed back on that narrative, insisting that the players must shoulder the responsibility. “A coach can prepare a team, but it’s the players who have to perform out in the middle,” he noted. Gavaskar added that Gambhir shouldn’t be blamed for losses if he isn’t equally credited for recent triumphs such as the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup.

India’s batting proved brittle throughout the series; their top score was 201 in the first innings at Guwahati, as South Africa’s spinners, led by Simon Harmer, dominated. The hosts folded inside three days in the opening Test in Kolkata and managed only 140 in pursuit of an improbable 549 on the final day of the second match.

Commentator Harsha Bhogle wrote on X that India’s once-formidable home aura “is fading fast.” Former wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik echoed the concern, saying visiting teams are no longer intimidated by Indian conditions. “A second whitewash in 12 months – these are difficult times for India in Test cricket, and tough choices may be necessary,” he said.

The latest setback comes despite India’s 2–0 home win over an injury-hit West Indies last month, following a 2–2 draw in England in Shubman Gill’s first series as captain after the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma.