Former India captain Kris Srikkanth echoed the disappointment of millions of Indian cricket fans after the home team were whitewashed by South Africa in Guwahati on Wednesday, November 26. The team that once wiped out the tour he built a fortress that was the envy of the cricketing world now he has lost five of the last seven Tests at home.
In the middle, India barely put up a fight. India set a Himalayan target of 549 and had eight wickets in hand on Day 5 of the second Test to survive. Still, they were bundled out in less than one session, crumbled for 140. South Africa sealed a 408-run win, handing India their heaviest defeat in Test cricket by runs.
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Decimation has been completed. India struggled on a spicy pitch in the first Test in Kolkata. When the conditions eased in Guwahati, India were expected to compete, but instead they were overwhelmed again. After posting 489 in the first innings, South Africa bowled out India for 201. And when the pitch began to assist in the second innings, the Proteas showed composure to reach 260 for 5 before declaring. India could not even survive two full sessions in response.
In his YouTube appearance, Srikkanth seemed concerned about India’s declining ability to win at home. Apart from Bangladesh and West Indies, India have not beaten any Test side in the series under coach Gautam Gambhir, who took over last year. New Zealand struck the first blow with a three-Test series whitewash in India and South Africa completed the demolition job this year.
“The problem is they catch you on spin tracks and regular fast bowling tracks. What do they want now? In Kolkata he said this is the kind of track they want. Good. Guwahati pitch was good batting. Nothing wrong with that. Simon Harmer bowled beautifully,” Srikkanth said.
Then came his tongue-in-cheek solution.
“I have a good idea for India to do well. India should play at neutral venues.”
“All India’s Test matches should be played in England. You have capacity crowds there. Indians can plan a holiday 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.
After the retirements of Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R. Ashwin, India started the new Test World Cup cycle with a youthful team overseen by Gambhir and led by Shubman Gill.
They traveled to England for the five Tests of the Anderson–Tendulkar Trophy and secured a thrilling 2–2 draw. It could easily have been 1–3 but Mohammed Siraj produced a spirited spell on the final day of the series to pull off an unlikely victory.
India carried that momentum into a 2-0 win over the West Indies in October. However, defeat to South Africa revealed deeper problems.
Not even in 40 years have India lost two home series in one year. Their inability to bat against spin – and the way the overseas spinners outclassed them – became a glaring problem.
THE KING’S DEAR LITTLE
Srikkanth also took aim at head coach Gambhir for his bizarre reaction after the latest defeat. When asked if he still believes he is the right man for the job, Gambhir pointed to past successes: India won the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup under him and did well in England Tests during his tenure.
The defiant tone irritated many – including Srikkanth.
“You have to accept criticism. Say ‘yes, we made a mistake’ or say the system is flawed and needs to be rebuilt. If you’re transparent, that’s fine. Teams lose games, series, even home series. But you can’t refuse to accept mistakes,” he said.
“He himself has to analyze it. You removed Abhishek Nayar after the Australian tour. You pointed the finger at him. So what is this performance? Who is responsible?”
“Who will question him? He is like the king’s dear little one.”
“At the same time, the players have to take responsibility too. Don’t tell me these batsmen can’t fight for seven hours. Yes, you might not win a Test, but can’t you draw it?”
India will not play another Test until August next year. Their chances of reaching the Test World Cup final look bleak. India, who have slipped to 5th in the table behind Pakistan, now face a tough ride – two Tests away in Sri Lanka, two away in New Zealand, before five home Tests against Australia in early 2027.
– The end
Issued by:
Akshay Ramesh
Published on:
November 27, 2025
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