India suffered one of its worst defeats in Test matches in recent years when the Men in Blue were drubbed by an innings and 32 runs, inside three days of play by a marauding South African team at Centurion.
While India's bowling was not up to scratch, the batting also proved substandard. India batted for just 101.5 overs, across their two innings as they scored 245 & 131. KL Rahul (101 in the first innings) and Virat Kohli (76 in the second innings) were the only batters to cross 50 for India.
By contrast, South Africa batted for 108.4 overs in their solitary innings as three batters; Dean Elgar (185), debutant David Bedingham (56) and No.8 Marco Jansen (84*) all scored half-centuries.
MORE: What is Rohit Sharma's captaincy record in Tests?
India's batting woes overseas have been a recurrent theme for some time now, which naturally shifts the focus on head coach Rahul Dravid's role.
In November 2021, Dravid was handed over the reins of the Indian team. Incidentally, his first overseas assignment was against South Africa and on the Boxing Day Test at Centurion, where India beat the Proteas by 113 runs.
Since their victory, the performances have gone downhill in SENA countries (South Africa, England, New Zealand and Australia) as they have lost all five test matches in these countries including the World Test Championship earlier this year against Australia.
That was until India won the second Test against South Africa in Cape Town by seven wickets, with the game finishing inside two days.
What is Rahul Dravid's record in SENA countries as India coach?
| Team | Result | Margin | Toss | Bat | Opposition | Ground | Start Date |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| India | won | 113 runs | won | 1st | v South Africa | Centurion | 26 Dec 2021 |
| India | lost | 7 wickets | won | 1st | v South Africa | Johannesburg | 3 Jan 2022 |
| India | lost | 7 wickets | won | 1st | v South Africa | Cape Town | 11 Jan 2022 |
| India | lost | 7 wickets | lost | 1st | v England | Birmingham | 1 Jul 2022 |
| India | lost | 209 runs | won | 2nd | v Australia | The Oval | 7 Jun 2023 |
| India | lost | innings & 32 runs | lost | 1st | v South Africa | Centurion | 26 Dec 2023 |
| India | won | 7 wickets | lost | 2nd | v South Africa | Cape Town | 3 Jan 2024 |
MORE: What is Rohit Sharma's captaincy record in Tests?
What next for India?
Looking ahead, India will take on Afghanistan in a three-match T20I series starting from January 11 followed by a five-match Test series against England starting from January 25, with both assignments to be played at home.
Additionally, they will look to grab the opportunity to end their ICC trophy drought in the 2024 T20 World Cup scheduled for June.
Ready to make your predictions and win on the International Cricket matches? To find all the latest odds, betting and cricket scores and fixtures from India click here.