South Africa defeated India by a record 408 runs in the second Test to complete a 2-0 series sweep. Stand-in captain Rishabh Pant acknowledged India’s need to improve as a Test team and said the results simply because they play in home conditions cannot be taken lightly.
A shameful defeat for team India in Test cricket
The 408-run defeat in the second Test in Guwahati on Wednesday was India’s biggest defeat in terms of runs in the traditional five-day format. India, which drew the series in England earlier this year, has slipped below Pakistan to fifth place after its defeat against South Africa, with its PCT (percentage) dropping to 48.15. Therefore, Team India will need to play strongly in its upcoming Test and win at all costs.
India has played nine Test matches in the current World Test Championship cycle, winning four, losing four, and drawing one. The Indian team will now tour Sri Lanka for a two-Test series in August next year, followed by a series against New Zealand in October-November. Meanwhile, South Africa, with its first Test series win in India in 25 years, has strengthened its position in the standings.
Current scenario of the WTC points table
Defending World Test Championship champions South Africa are in second place, just behind leaders Australia, with 36 points from four Tests. Their PCT has increased from 66.67 to 75. New Zealand has yet to play a series in the current cycle, while Sri Lanka and Pakistan have played one each. The top two teams will qualify for the final in 2027.
“It’s a bit disappointing. As a team, we need to do better. We have to give credit to the opposition. They dominated the entire series, but playing on home soil, you can’t take cricket for granted,” Pant said after the match.
