India’s 2-0 Defeat Sparks “Gautam Gambhir Hay Hay” Chants From Guwahati Crowd

Indian cricket suffered one of its darkest days on Wednesday as South Africa completed a ruthless 2-0 Test series whitewash, thrashing the hosts by 408 runs in the second Test at Barsapara Cricket Stadium—India’s heaviest-ever defeat in the format by runs. The result ended India’s decade-long unbeaten home series record and marked only the Proteas’ second series triumph in India in history and the first since 2000. It also became the second home whitewash in 13 months, effectively ending India’s hopes of reaching the 2025-27 World Test Championship final.

As the players shook hands and the magnitude of the collapse sank in, sections of the Guwahati crowd turned their frustration on head coach Gautam Gambhir. Chants of “Gautam Gambhir hay hay” echoed around the stadium while the former opener stood stoically on the field, captured clearly on broadcast cameras. The public rebuke came just six months into Gambhir’s tenure and after his team had surrendered five successive home tests—three to New Zealand and now two to South Africa.

South Africa’s dominance was total. After centuries from Aiden Markram and Tristan Stubbs in the first Test, the second match saw Senuran Muthusamy (109) and Marco Jansen (93) power the visitors to 489 in their first innings. Jansen then destroyed India with 6-48 before Simon Harmer spun a web of 6-37 in the fourth innings to bowl India out for 140 while chasing 549. Brief resistance from Ravindra Jadeja (54) and debutant Sai Sudarshan proved futile against a Proteas attack that adapted brilliantly to Indian conditions.

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The fallout has been swift and severe. Gambhir, who took over after Rahul Dravid’s exit, now faces intense scrutiny over team selection, tactical rigidity, and the side’s inability to counter spin and seam movement at home. Former players and fans have openly questioned his leadership, with many pointing to persistent batting-order experiments and the failure to arrest a sharp decline in red-ball cricket since the 2024-25 Australia tour loss. BCCI sources indicate that the board will seek detailed explanations from Gambhir and the support staff in the coming days.

For South Africa, the victory under Temba Bavuma represents a monumental breakthrough and cements their status as a resurgent Test force. For India, the Guwahati humiliation marks a new low, leaving the team and its coach at a crossroads as they attempt to salvage pride and rebuild credibility ahead of a demanding England tour early next year.

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