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Ravi Shastri bashed India head coach Gautam Gambhir over his flawed selection calls and baffling strategies after South Africa once again exposed India's batting woes to put the hosts on the cusp of another embarrassing Test series defeat at home. South Africa are in firm control of the second Test against India in Guwahati after extending their lead to 306 runs on Day 3.
After posting a mammoth total of 489 runs on the board in their first innings, South Africa skittled out India for a paltry 201 runs in their first innings to close in on a thumping victory. Marco Jansen and South African spinners combined to run riot as India suffered a dramatic batting collapse.
After smashing a brilliant 93, Jansen picked up a magnificent six-wicket haul to run through India's batting line-up in Guwahati. In what was one of the best spells by an overseas pacer on Indian soil, Jansen made a mockery of the Indian batting line-up to record excellent figures of 6/48 off his 19.5 overs.
His magnificent spell has put South Africa on top as the Proteas eye a historic Test series clean sweep against India. Former head coach Shastri, who was responsible for India's dominant run in Tests along with former skipper Virat Kohli, lashed out at Gambhir and the Indian team management while commentating with Abhinav Mukund during Day 3 of the 2nd Test.
"At what point will India understand that they need specialists for No 3 and 4. Washington batted at No 3 in Kolkata, and is coming in at No 8," said Mukund on air after Washington Sundar surprisingly walked out to bat no.8 in India's first innings in Guwahati. The left-hand all-rounder had batted at no.3 in the first Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.
Mukund's observation drew a fierce response from Shastri, who didn't hold back in his criticism of Gambhir and his muddled policies. The former India head coach said he has failed to understand India's thought process in Tests under Gambhir, as he pointed out multiple flaws in the current selection policies.
"This doesn’t make sense. I don’t understand the thought process. Still trying to fathom out the thought process. You play four spinners in Kolkata and bowl one of the spinners for just one over when you could have gone with another specialist batter. Washington batted at No 3 in the last Test, he could have easily batted at No 4 here. He’s going at No 8," said Shastri, responding to Mukund.
After South Africa amassed a 306-run lead at stumps on Day 3, India face a herculean task to save the Guwahati Test. With two days of play left, the Proteas will look to set an imposing target for the hosts before asking them to bat in their second innings. India will need a mighty effort with the bat to save the Test match and avoid a series whitewash.
India's dominant 12-year unbeaten Test series streak at home came to an end last year, when the hosts suffered a humiliating 3-0 Test series defeat against New Zealand. The hosts are on the cusp of facing their second Test series clean sweep at home at the hands of South Africa under Gambhir.
A 2-0 series defeat against South Africa will also increase pressure on head coach Gambhir, who has failed to replicate his white-ball success in red-ball cricket in his tenure with India so far. While India have won the Champions Trophy 2025 title and appear favourites for the T20 World Cup next year, the results continue to go downhill in Tests.
