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A strike rate of 10.07! Sai Sudharsan claims unwanted record during 2nd Test vs South Africa

Harsh Adwani

Sai Sudharsan registers an unwanted record [Source: AFP Photos]Sai Sudharsan registers an unwanted record [Source: AFP Photos]

India faced a massive loss in the Test series against South Africa. From getting whitewashed for the third time at home to losing the match by the biggest margin of runs, India have registered some unwanted records.

Another unwanted record that emerged in the Guwahati Test was Sai Sudharsan playing the second-slowest Test knock by an Indian, having faced a minimum of 100 balls in the innings. Sudharsan played a marathon innings of 14 runs in 139 balls. This knock is only behind Yashpal Sharma’s knock of 13 runs off 157 balls against Australia in 1981.

The left-hander’s innings only featured one boundary, and he played with a strike rate of 10.07. Although there was no intent to score some runs, it can be argued that India had almost lost the match, and he was just trying to survive for as long as he could. Sudharsan had survived the end of Day 4 but fell to Senuran Muthusamy just after tea on Day 5.

He had not played the first Test of the series in Kolkata but got a chance in this match because of Gill’s injury. However, the 24-year-old could not make much out of this opportunity, scoring 15 runs in 40 balls in the first innings and 14 runs in 139 balls in the second innings.

Gautam Gambhir faces scrutiny after a massive loss at home

India have not had the best run under Gautam Gambhir at home in Test cricket. They lost the series against New Zealand, getting whitewashed in a three-match series at home for the very first time.

They then won the series against the West Indies 2-0 earlier this year. Now, they faced yet another whitewash, this time against South Africa in their two-match Test series. India have lost five out of their seven matches at home under Gambhir.

Constant changes in the playing XI and not letting their players settle in have been one of the biggest reasons for their failure in recent times. They will have to reflect on their situation and try and figure out what they need to do to bounce back.