Following India's recent Test series defeat against South Africa, cricket legend Sunil Gavaskar has dismissed claims that the presence of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma would have altered India's fate. The loss has sparked intense debate about the team's performance, coaching staff, and the direction of Indian Test cricket.

Gavaskar, speaking to Sports Tak, addressed the question of whether the early retirements of Kohli and Sharma from Test cricket had negatively impacted the team. He stated, "We can't say that if they were there, we wouldn't have lost". He further added, "It was under their leadership that Team India lost 3-0 to New Zealand at home. Then, we faced defeat in Australia".

Gavaskar's comments come in the wake of India's 2-0 series loss to South Africa, marking their second clean sweep at home in 12 months. This has led to questions about Gautam Gambhir's position as coach, the talent pool in Test cricket, and the team selection process. The series defeat adds to a troubling trend, with India having lost five of their last seven home Tests. This includes a 3-0 whitewash by New Zealand.

The former India captain has called for a "post-mortem" of Indian Test cricket, advocating for an outside perspective to strengthen the team. He suggested involving former coaches like Ravi Shastri and Rahul Dravid, as well as experienced players like Anil Kumble, Sourav Ganguly, and Sachin Tendulkar, to formulate a plan for the next five years.

Gavaskar defended coach Gautam Gambhir, who has faced criticism for frequently changing the batting order. Gavaskar emphasized that while the coach prepares the team, the players are ultimately responsible for delivering on the field. He pointed out that if Gambhir isn't credited for wins in the Champions Trophy and Asia Cup, he shouldn't be solely blamed for the team's poor performance in the Test series.

India's batting performance in the series was lackluster, with their highest first innings total being 201 in Guwahati against South Africa's spin attack. In the second Test, they were dismissed for a mere 140 while chasing a target of 549.

The absence of Kohli and Sharma, who retired from Test cricket after struggling in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy in Australia, has undoubtedly been felt. Both players had been mainstays of the Indian batting lineup for years. Kohli played 123 Test matches, scoring 9,230 runs at an average of 46.85, with 30 centuries.

Gavaskar had previously cautioned against focusing on future series, such as the tour of Australia, when the team was struggling against New Zealand. He stressed the importance of concentrating on the present situation and finding ways to overcome the immediate challenges.

The series loss to South Africa has raised serious concerns about India's dominance in Test cricket, particularly at home. With a need for introspection and strategic planning, the future of Indian Test cricket is at a critical juncture.