NEW DELHI: India's Test vice-captain Rishabh Pant has apologised for the team's disastrous showing in the 0-2 series loss to South Africa, emphasising that the side will "regroup, refocus and reset" to return stronger.

India suffered a 0-2 drubbing in the series, which concluded with the second Test in Guwahati on Tuesday. Pant led the home side in this match as regular skipper Shubman Gill was sidelined with a neck injury.

The team lost by a staggering 408 runs, further damaging the aura of invincibility around their home record and complicating their path to the World Test Championship final.

Learning from the setback

"There is no shying away from the fact that we didn't play good enough cricket over the last two weeks. As a team and as individuals, we always want to perform at the highest level and bring smiles to billions of Indians," Pant, who has faced criticism for reckless shot selection during the series, said in a post on 'X'.

"Sorry we couldn't live up to expectations this time, but sport teaches you to learn, adapt and grow - both as a team and as individuals. We know what this team is capable of and we will work hard, regroup, refocus and reset to come back stronger and better as a team & individuals," he added.

Pant reiterated that representing India remains the greatest honour for the players.

Concerns over team strategy

The loss to a well-prepared South Africa side comes within a year of the humiliating 0-3 whitewash at the hands of a less-fancied New Zealand team. Both visiting sides exploited Indian batters’ struggles against quality spin.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir has come under intense scrutiny for the recent setbacks, with several former players questioning his focus on filling the side with all-rounders instead of deploying specialists in key positions.

India is not scheduled to play any more Test cricket until next year.

(With PTI Inputs)