This is Team India's first loss of a home Test series against South Africa in 25 years. The previous loss at home to the Proteas came in 2000. India lost the Kolkata Test by 30 runs and then lost the Guwahati Test by 408 runs. Now, this defeat is India's biggest loss in Test cricket. The previous largest defeat was the 342-run loss to Australia in Nagpur back in 2004.
Former Indian cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin says weak batting was the reason for series loss. According to him, Indian batters could not handle spin. He explained that the standard of Indian batting has fallen. He further said that he has been saying for three to four years that Indian batters do not play proper sweep shots. According to him, New Zealand batters utilized the sweep shot well in their last series. They played sweep shots as a defensive option. When they defended one ball, they hit the next ball with a sweep. Ashwin said New Zealand players trained their sweep shots effectively.
Ashwin referred to South African spinner Simon Harmer and asked how many Indian batters showed solid defensive technique against his bowling. He said Indian batters attempt shots when the defense fails. According to him, big hitting is being used as a means to cover up technical weaknesses. Good players need to show good defense. He added that the current crop of Indian batters do not play spin well. Ashwin concluded that Team India is presently weak in playing spin.
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