• Source:JND
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India vs South Africa: Team India is facing a lot of ire for the lacklustre performance in the ongoing Test series against South Africa. Notably, India are trailing 1-0 in the two-match Test series, with another loss looming large in the ongoing Test in Guwahati. After losing the first Test against South Africa by 30 runs on a treacherous pitch in Kolkata, India are tottering at 27-2 as they need 522 more runs to win and level the series. However, it looks doubtful on a fifth-day pitch.

The Indian team management under head coach Gautam Gambhir is facing criticism from left, right and centre for the current predicament of a side that is currently undergoing transition. Joining the wave of criticism, talismanic Virat Kohli's elder brother, Vikas Kohli, took a sly dig on social media.

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Vikas, while not pointing fingers directly at individuals, suggested that too many changes in the side seemed to have disrupted a system which was working well for the Team in the past. While he didn't mention Team India Head Coach Gautam Gambhir by name, the message could be interpreted as a reference to the coach and the shift in approach since he took charge.

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"There was a time that we played to win even in overseas conditions.... Now we are playing to save the match....even in india.. This is what happens when u try to boss around and change things unnecessary which were not broken....," Vikas Kohli wrote in the Threads post, which now appears to be removed.

The downfall of India's Test side at home

India's Test performance has shown a steady decline under Gambhir's coaching. The team has experienced more losses than wins during his time, including an unexpected series of difficulties on home soil. The top six batsmen have averaged below 30 during this span, and India has consistently struggled to reach scores above 300, which is a stark departure from the reliability they previously showcased. This downturn has coincided with the recent retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma from Test cricket—two key players who have been the backbone of India's batting order for more than ten years.

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Notably, India suffered a 3-0 home series whitewash against New Zealand last year, followed by a 3-1 loss to Australia in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy Down Under, during which they also missed out on qualifying for the World Test Championship final.

Now, in the ongoing two-Test series against South Africa, India have already lost the series opener and find themselves on the brink of yet another clean sweep at home.

Inputs from Agency

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