Dinesh Karthik reacts to India getting whitewashed by South Africa. (Instagram and AP)A visibly flustered Dinesh Karthik struggled to explain the malaise that has been eating the Indian Test unit in recent times at home where they have lost 5 of their last 7 matches. With the latest loss in Guwahati to South Africa, India have been whitewashed twice in their home in the span of 12 months. They lost to New Zealand 3-0 last year and now have lost 2-0 to the World Test Championship (WTC) holders.
“Teams used to be scared to come to India to play Test cricket. Now they must be licking their lips. I mean, a second whitewash in a span of 12 months. In the last 3 series played here in India, 2 have been whitewashes. These are tough times for India in test cricket and tough decisions might have to be taken. But what is lacking? Is it the quality of players, the inability to play spin? Pacers and spinners are being out-bowled in India. One too many allrounders being played. Nitish Reddy, the nominated allrounder, pace allrounder, has bowled 14 overs across the whole domestic calendar season in Test cricket in India. India had just 2 players who have scored hundreds in this Test series. South Africa had 7. I mean, c’mon, we are better than that. How can suddenly there be a nosedive in Test cricket?,” Karthik said on Wednesday.
The former India opener also talked about the lack of stability in India’s No.3 position questioned if the constant chopping and changing were doing any favours to the team. In Kolkata, Washington Sundar was India’s No.3 while in Guwahati, Sai Sudharsan fulfilled the role.
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“In the WTC cycle, 65 Test matches that have been played, India’s No.3 holds the second-worst record in the 1st innings of a Test match averaging 26. That is something for us to ponder about. Who is our No. 3? How much stability are we going to give in. Washington plays at No.3 in Kolkata, Sai Sudharsan is playing No.3 in Guwahati. Is chopping and changing helping India or do we need to give more stability and consistency? What is the answer? It almost feels like this WTC cycle, India have very minimal chances. 2 away games against Sri Lanka, 2 away games against New Zealand and 5 Tests against Australia at home,” he added.
With India set to play their next Test match in August 2026, Karthik urged the team to not forget what had transpired against South Africa due to the glut of white-ball assignments.
“But the next Test match is after 7 months. Are we going to forget this? Are we going to move on saying, ‘ok, that’s afresh season’ By then so much of white ball cricket would have happened and I am sure India are so good at that, we’ll tend to overlook what’s happening in Test cricket right now. That is the big question to ponder. Think. What does it take for this Test team to come back and become as good as they were,” he said.
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