NEW DELHI: A clueless Indian team, lacking both skill and resolve, suffered its biggest defeat in terms of runs, losing the second Test to South Africa by 408 runs on Wednesday. The visitors celebrated their first series triumph in India in 25 years.

This was the second time in just 13 months that India has been whitewashed at home, seriously damaging their chances of qualifying for the World Test Championship.

Under head coach Gautam Gambhir, India have now lost five Tests against New Zealand and South Africa at home.

A chase of 549 was never realistic, but what was expected was at least some fight. That did not happen on a fifth day Indian track where the ball bounced sharply and turned unpredictably.

Marco Jansen, who played a flawless all round role in this Test, took a stunning one handed catch to skittle India for 140 in 63.5 overs and gave Temba Bavuma’s side a victory to enjoy for a long time.

Courtesy of Gambhir's baffling tactics and selection choices, the aura of invincibility that once surrounded the team at home lay in tatters at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium on a slightly chilly Wednesday afternoon.

Harmer shines as India falter

Off spinner Simon Harmer enjoyed a career revival as he troubled the Indian team with turn, bounce and zip off the same surface where home bowlers looked ordinary.

Once skipper Rishabh Pant was dismissed for 13 failing to handle the bounce, the outcome was clear.

The new brigade including Sai Sudharsan, Washington Sundar, Dhruv Jurel and Nitish Reddy lacked the preparation to read a spinner of Harmer’s quality.

Sudharsan scored 14 from 139 balls but survived multiple close calls and looked in danger with almost every delivery. His struggle reflected the poor choices in personnel that ultimately fall at Gambhir’s door.

Gambhir’s reliance on bits and pieces cricketers in a traditional Test format has left the team in uncertainty with no player sure of their role or place.

The psychological impact of this defeat will be significant and it will affect the confidence of the red ball team going forward.

Jadeja the lone fighter as India collapse

The pitch was not easy to bat on but the poor technique of the batters was disappointing. They failed to read drift, play with a soft bottom hand or use the back foot effectively.

Only Ravindra Jadeja scored 53 and showed fight but there was no support from the other end to extend the innings.

In the end, lack of planning and clarity was evident and India looked vulnerable and easy to beat at home.

(With PTI Inputs)