A must win match for team India. They have already suffered humiliation in Kolkata against South Africa. Despite a low target, India failed to chase it down and lost the match. With the defeat, team India has already owned a shameful record.
A do or die match for India
The final Test match between the two teams will take place at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati on November 22nd. This second Test in Guwahati is a do-or-die situation for India. The Indian team will desperately want to win this match. Even a draw will result in the series being lost. India must win this match to ensure a draw.
If Team India loses the Guwahati Test match, it will be the Indian team’s third clean sweep at home, and the second against South Africa. South Africa defeated India 2-0 in a two-match series in 2000. Last year, New Zealand also won a 3-0 Test series on Indian soil. Gautam Gambhir was Team India’s coach then. Now, under Gambhir’s coaching, the Indian team will seek to avoid this unwanted achievement.
With the defeat in the Kolkata Test match, the Indian team has achieved a shameful achievement. In fact, after 53 years, the Indian team has lost four out of six Test matches at home. The previous such bad period came during 1969–72. The Indian team had suffered such a defeat on home soil only when teams like Australia and England toured India. Similarly, in recent times, Team India has been struggling continuously at home.
Gambhir record in Test as coach
Since Gautam Gambhir became head coach, the Indian team’s Test performance has been concerning. Under his coaching, the Indian team has played 18 matches in the longest format of cricket. During this period, it won seven and lost nine, with two matches ending in draws. Gambhir replaced Rahul Dravid as head coach of the Indian team after the conclusion of the T20 World Cup 2024. Under Gambhir, India achieved a comfortable 2-0 victory in the Test series against Bangladesh. However, New Zealand subsequently defeated India 0-3 in the Test series, marking the biggest setback of Gambhir’s coaching career.