IND vs SA 2025: 'Teams were scared when touring India, now must be licking their lips' - T20 World Cup winner after whitewash by South Africa

When India were whitewashed 0-3 by New Zealand at home last year, some of their fans wanted to believe that it was an aberration. Before that defeat, the Asian giants had not lost a home Test series in 12 years. However, the alarm bells have started ringing vociferously after South Africa beat India 2-0 earlier this week in the two-match series.

Dinesh Karthik stated that teams which used to be filled with fear before a Test tour of India are now waiting to have a crack at the under-fire side. The former India wicketkeeper-batter opined that it is time for the BCCI to take some tough calls to resurrect the slump.

“Teams used to be scared of coming to India to play Test cricket. Now they must be licking their lips. A second whitewash in a span of 12 months. In the last three series played here in India, two have been whitewashes. These are tough times for India in Test cricket, and tough decisions might have to be taken," Karthik said in a video shared on Instagram.

Karthik expressed his concerns, saying that other teams are managing to outperform the Indian bowlers on home soil. He also pointed out that India are playing with too many all-rounders.

“Pacers and spinners are being out-bowled in India. One too many all-rounders are being played. Nitish Reddy, the nominated pace all-rounder, has bowled 14 overs across the whole domestic calendar season. India had just two players who scored hundreds in this Test series. South Africa had seven.”

Is chopping and changing helping India, or do we need more stability and consistency? Karthik asks

India decided to have Washington Sundar bat at No. 3 in the first Test in Kolkata. However, they made a change in the second Test in Guwahati, bringing Sai Sudharsan into the side and giving him the No. 3 position. Karthik mentioned that frequent chopping and changing won't benefit the team.

“In the WTC cycle, India’s No. 3 holds the second-worst record in the first innings of a Test match, averaging 26. Who is our No. 3? Washington plays at No. 3 in Kolkata, Sai Sudharsan plays No. 3 in Guwahati. Is chopping and changing helping India, or do we need more stability and consistency?”

Karthik questioned whether India would work on their shortcomings, which were highlighted during the series defeat versus the Proteas, or would they forget the debacle amid the white-ball fixtures lined up in the coming months.

“The next Test match is after seven months. Are we going to forget this? That is the big question. What does it take for this Test team to come back and become as good as they were?”