Bastion falls as SA deal India record home loss

India's reputation as Test cricket's final frontier, one that few countries have scaled, was dealt a telling, perhaps final, blow after South Africa inflicted a 408-run defeat on the country — India's highest ever in terms of runs - in the second Test at Guwahati on Wednesday.

- Somshuvra Laha

South Africa won the series 2-0, their first series win in India since 2000 and India's third whitewash loss at home after New Zealand won 3-0 last year.

India have now lost five of their last seven home Tests, a record that stands in stark contrast with the previous five home defeats that came in 50 Tests across 13 seasons. The loss also left India coach Gautam Gambhir facing questions about his future - his Test record now stands at a well under-par 7 wins, 10 defeats and 2 draws in 19 matches for a win percentage of 36.82. Tellingly, his loss percentage is over 50%.

Among India coaches, only Duncan Fletcher, whose win percentage was 33.33 after 17 loses, 13 wins, 9 draws from 39 Tests, has a worse record. But even Fletcher's loss percentage was only 43%, lower than Gambhir's.

In the post-match conference, Gambhir proffered the usual cliches losing coaches do -"playing against a top-quality side"; a team in "transition" and refused to say anything about his own future except that "it's up to BCCI".

This result also means India's chances of reaching the World Test Championship have become slimmer, as they now stand fifth on the table with 48.15% points.