India’s crushing 76-run defeat has triggered sharp criticism from former captain Sunil Gavaskar, who did not hold back while analysing the team’s performance. He blamed ego and overconfidence for the loss, saying the players failed to respect match conditions and paid the price.
Gavaskar pointed out that several Indian batters ignored the nature of the pitch. Instead of building partnerships, they tried to attack almost every delivery. In their attempt to hit boundaries and sixes, they threw away crucial wickets. According to him, this reckless approach showed a lack of game awareness and discipline.
He also highlighted South Africa’s fighting spirit. At one stage, South Africa struggled at 20 for 3. However, David Miller and Dewald Brevis turned the match around with a brilliant 97-run partnership. They assessed the pitch carefully and adjusted their game. As a result, South Africa posted a commanding total of 187 runs. Gavaskar expressed disappointment that Indian batters failed to learn from the way the opposition handled the same conditions.
India’s collapse for just 111 runs raised deeper concerns. Gavaskar said the defeat was not merely a technical failure. Instead, he described it as a clear planning failure. He believes the team lacked a clear strategy while chasing a big target. Moreover, the players seemed unable to handle pressure, which exposed a mental weakness in crucial moments.
The former captain also issued a stern warning. He said such a poor performance in front of home fans is unacceptable. He urged the players to shed their ego and reflect honestly on their mistakes. Only then, he stressed, can India hope to reach the semifinals.
Gavaskar’s comments serve as a wake-up call. Talent alone will not win matches at this level. Discipline, planning, and adaptability remain equally important. If India wants to bounce back in the tournament, the team must quickly regroup and correct its approach.
