India's third Test whitewash at home (Source: AFP)
India has faced another deafening whitewash at home soil, marking their first-ever Test defeat against South Africa in 25 years. Indian cricket fans, once accustomed to the team’s invincibility at home and spirit abroad, are now wrestling with a painful reality.
Now, the question is whether this is the first time India has suffered a clean sweep in a home Test series. Read ahead to know the answer.
IND vs SA, 2000: India's 1st Test whitewash on home soil
Interestingly, India has been whitewashed three times in a home Test series (more than one Test), the first instance being back in 2000. Against a South African side led by Hansie Cronje, India lost both matches in the two-game series.
In the first Test at the Wankhede, the Proteas edged the Indians by four wickets. In the second Test, South Africa’s win was even more comprehensive, with India succumbing to an innings defeat.
Kiwi dominance in 2024 on Indian soil: First time in 34 years
Under Gambhir's leadership, the cracks first appeared with the disastrous New Zealand series. In a shocking turn of events, India suffered a humiliated 3-0 whitewash at home. This wasn’t just a defeat; it was the crumbling of a fortress, yielding the only second clean sweep at home.
It included India’s first Test loss to New Zealand on home soil in 34 years, a record that had stood as a testament to India's dominance at home. The "spin them to death" strategy worked against them.
IND vs SA Test series breaks all records: Third humiliation at home derby
India endured yet another defeat in a home Test series after being crushed by 408 runs in the second match against South Africa in Guwahati. India, who were handed an improbable victory target of 549, were folded for 140/10 in the second innings on Day 5.
This allowed South Africa to complete a whitewash in the two-match series and marked their first Test series win on Indian soil in 25 years. Marking India's third clean sweep in a home Test series.
Notably, ever since Gautam Gambhir took the reins as head coach, the proud legacy of the Men in Blue is at risk of unravelling at an alarming pace.
What was meant to be the start of a new era of aggressive gameplay and passionate skill in the longest format of the game has instead become a consecutive series of monumental failures under Gambhir's helm.
