Rishabh Pant Issues Emotional Apology After India’s 0-2 Home Test Series Defeat

India wicketkeeper-batter Rishabh Pant took to social media on Thursday evening with a deeply emotional apology following the national team’s shocking 0-2 Test series defeat to South Africa — the first time in 25 years that the Proteas have won a bilateral series on Indian soil and only the second instance in history. The comprehensive whitewash, culminating in a devastating 408-run loss in Guwahati, marked India’s heaviest-ever home defeat by runs and ended South Africa’s long drought of series victories in the country since the Hansie Cronje-led triumph in 2000.

In a lengthy Instagram post accompanied by a sombre team huddle photograph, Pant openly admitted collective failure, writing, “There is no shying away from the fact that we didn’t play good enough cricket over the last two weeks. As a team and as individuals, we always want to perform at the highest level and bring smiles to billions of Indians. Sorry we couldn’t live up to expectations this time.” He emphasised that the disappointment was shared across the dressing room and promised rigorous introspection and hard work ahead of the next cycle.

Having led the side in the second Test after regular captain Shubman Gill was ruled out with a neck injury, Pant faced intense scrutiny for both tactical decisions and his own modest batting returns. At the post-match presentation at Guwahati’s Barsapara Stadium, he refused to make excuses, stating, “It’s a little disappointing. Credit to the opposition — they dominated the series from start to finish. We needed to be clearer with our mindset and capitalise as a team, but we didn’t do that, and that cost us the entire series.”

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South Africa’s campaign began with a hard-fought victory in Kolkata — their first Test win on Indian soil since 2010 — before they delivered a clinical performance in the second match, bowling India out twice and enforcing the follow-on to register the 408-run margin. The result has triggered widespread criticism of selection policies, preparation, and mental resilience, with former players and fans questioning how the world’s top-ranked Test side could collapse so spectacularly at home against a visiting attack missing several first-choice bowlers.

Closing his message on a note of gratitude and determination, Pant wrote, “Representing India is the greatest honour of our lives. We know what this team is capable of, and we will work hard, regroup, refocus and reset to come back stronger and better as a team & individuals. Thank you for your unwavering support and love! Jai Hind.” His words have struck a chord with millions, even as the team management braces for tough questions ahead of the upcoming Australia tour.

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