India slump to record 408-run defeat vs SA

India crashed to a heaviest-ever 408-run defeat to South Africa in the second Test in Guwahati on Wednesday after yet another shambolic batting performance.

- Somshuvra Laha

South Africa won the series 2-0, their first clean sweep in India since 2000.

This was also India’s second series loss at home in consecutive years, with five defeats in their last seven home Tests after being unbeaten for 12 years.

Like in Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, off-spinner Simon Harmer was again the wrecker-in-chief, taking 6/37 and ending the series with 17 of the 38 Indian wickets to fall. Resuming the day needing an unrealistic 549 to win, all India had to do was bat out the fifth day.

The ball was turning but the pitch wasn’t unplayable, and only a few months back they had batted out two sessions in Manchester, meaning an escape wasn't impossible.