India's young batters need more time, says Gambhir after record Test loss

India's young batters need more time to gain red-ball experience, coach Gautam Gambhir said after his team suffered their heaviest loss by runs in Test cricket as South Africa earned a 408 run win in Guwahati on Wednesday to sweep the series 2-0.

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Gambhir's own coaching style also faced heavy criticism as India's batters folded for 201 or less in every innings in the two-match series, handing world Test champions South Africa their first series win in the format on Indian soil since 2000.

It was India's heaviest defeat by runs in the format, eclipsing a 342-run loss to Australia in 2004.

"Four or five batters in this top eight have played literally less than 15 Test matches," Gambhir told reporters.

"And they will grow, they are learning on the job. They're learning on the field. Test cricket is never easy when you are playing against a top quality side. See you've got to give them time as well... this is exactly what transition is."

Gambhir, who took over last year, was asked if he was the right person to be coaching India's test team.