Guwahati, Nov 26: South Africa handed India their biggest Test defeat ever, completing a 408-run win in Guwahati on Wednesday to wrap up the two-match series 2–0. Chasing a daunting 549, India were dismissed for 140 in the final session.
“Losing by this margin at home is painful,” a senior Indian player said. “We have to regroup quickly.”
The loss eclipsed India’s previous worst margin — a 342-run defeat to Australia in 2004. It also extended a rare slide for the side, marking the first time in over 60 years that India have lost five Tests out of seven at home, and only the third time they have dropped home series in consecutive seasons.
South Africa praised the historic win. “Our bowlers were outstanding. We stayed disciplined throughout,” the visiting coach noted.
India’s list of heavy defeats now includes losses by 341 runs to Pakistan in 2006, an innings and 336 runs to West Indies in 1958, and 333 runs to Australia in 2017.
