India suffered their heaviest defeat in Test cricket history on Tuesday as South Africa thrashed them by 408 runs in the second Test at Guwahati, completing a 2-0 series whitewash. The loss surpassed all previous margins and marked South Africa’s first series win on Indian soil in 25 years.
With this staggering margin, India now has a new “biggest defeat by runs” record, overtaking their previous worst loss of 342 runs against Australia in Nagpur in 2004. Other major defeats include 341 runs to Pakistan in Karachi (2006), 337 runs to Australia in Melbourne (2007), 333 runs to Australia in Pune (2017), and 329 runs to South Africa in Kolkata (1996).
Chasing a massive 549-run target, India’s innings collapsed for 140, with Ravindra Jadeja scoring a lone 54 off 87 balls. Off-spinner Simon Harmer was the standout bowler, claiming career-best figures of 6/37 and finishing with nine wickets in the match. Marco Jansen’s spectacular tumbling catch to dismiss Mohammed Siraj summed up South Africa’s dominance.
Captain Temba Bavuma and coach Shukri Conrad celebrated the historic win, while India is left to reflect on consecutive home series whitewashes, following New Zealand’s 3-0 victory last year.
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