South Africa’s victory by 408 runs at the Guwahati Test has seriously weakened India’s supremacy at home. Apart from this defeat ending the series for India with a loss of 2-0, it also opened up the team’s performance, mostly with the bat, to a number of worrying signs.
India’s Home Misery
The scenario where India was invincible on their turf is already a matter of the past.
- India’s home Tests stats now show that they have lost five out of the last seven games, a very unusual case in Indian cricket history.
- The series against South Africa marked the second successive home Test series defeat for India, which has not been the case for over 60 years.
- By runs, the 408-run loss is India’s biggest ever loss at home.
- The Indian batsmen’s struggle was evident during the entire series. Their batting average of just 15.23 was one of the poorest averages ever recorded at home.
- During the two-Test series, no Indian batsman managed to score a century.
In general, the batting collapse was the major cause of the defeat.
Simon Harmer’s Spin Heroics
The series was totally ruled by South African off-spinner Simon Harmer.
- In two Tests, he managed to take 17 wickets.
- An average of 8.94 in the series is simply phenomenal for any foreign spinner in India.
- Harmer’s stunning 6/37 in the second Test destroyed the hopes of the Indian team and aided South Africa in taking over the match.
Harmer’s skill, precision and perseverance took the Indian batters’ ability to hold their ground against strict spin bowling.
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Aiden Markram Breaks World Record
Aiden Markram delivered one of the best fielding performances ever seen in Test cricket.
- Markram took 9 catches in the match, the most by a fielder in Test history.
- Five of those catches came in the first innings alone, and four more in the second.
- Rahane previously held the record with eight catches in a Test, but Markram has now gone past him.
His catching played a huge role in applying pressure on India throughout the match.
What This Defeat Means for India
This series has exposed several problems in India’s Test setup:
- The team is no longer as strong at home as before.
- The batting lineup is inconsistent and collapses under pressure.
- Visiting teams are coming better prepared, with strong spin plans and top-class fielding.
India will need serious changes in approach, technique and team balance if they want to rebuild their home dominance.
Written By:- Manjunath S