India suffer their biggest ever defeat as South Africa completes the Test series

The defeat increases the pressure on Gambhir.

Since the former batsman took charge in July 2024, India have won seven Tests but lost 10.

Defeats to New Zealand and South Africa added to the 3-1 defeat in Australia last December and January, while Gambhir’s side drew 2-2 in England in the summer.

Their series victories during his tenure came in Bangladesh and on home soil in the West Indies – two teams that are ranked ninth and eighth respectively in the International Cricket Council’s Test rankings.

When asked about his future, Gambhir said: “It is up to them (the Indian Cricket Board) to decide… Indian cricket is important, I am not important.”

“And people keep forgetting, I’m the same guy who got results for the team in England. With a very young team. I’m the same guy who won the Champions Cup and the Asian Cup as well.”

India’s approach and system has been called into question by commentator Harsha Bhogle’s post on X, external He said: “There was an aura surrounding the Indian team when it was playing in India. You could see it disappear from afar.

“There are a lot of places up for grabs in this Indian Test team. There are a few players who are not ready for this level. The question is: how many players are left who are ready?”

Former India bowler Venkatesh Prasad, who played 33 Tests between 1996 and 2001, said India showed “poor order tactics”.

“I’m really disappointed with the way India is going in Test cricket. The overall obsession just goes away, especially when you don’t bowl them,” Prasad said on Channel X., external.

“Bad tactics, poor skills, poor body language and an unprecedented whitewash of two series at home. I hope this doesn’t wash away with the Test matches in nine months’ time and this negative approach changes.

“We all love Indian cricket and it is sad to see what has been happening over the last year and a half just to somehow validate this flawed strategy. Such arrogance cannot be worked on for the benefit of Indian cricket, which is really disappointing.”

India’s next Test series is scheduled to be played in Sri Lanka next August. They will host the T20 World Cup, alongside Sri Lanka, from February 7.