Former Indian captain Ravi Shastri has questioned the team selection as well as the commitment of senior players after India's "gutless" showing against South Africa in the second one-day international at Kingsmead.

"There was no fight from any of the batsmen - not even from the ones who have vast amounts of experience. It's time for something to happen. I believe the selections were not right," Shastri said.

India was skittled out of 91 in reply to South Africa's 248 for 8 suffering a huge 157-run defeat.

The former all-rounder, commentating during the series for a television channel here, said the selectors should have opted for Gautam Gambhir, who has been making runs consistently in the domestic cricket, in place of Wasim Jaffer.

"Gambhir is the man in form. I could not understand why he was not in the squad for this trip. I'm afraid I believe if this team does not show any character as this tour progresses then it will be heading for disaster," he was quoted as saying by local daily Daily News.

He said the team would have to show some character if they want to salvage some pride in the ongoing series.

"If they have to salvage anything from this tour the Indians will have to start showing some character or this is going to end in a disgrace. It was a gutless showing. I've never seen anything like this before," Shastri said.

India play their next one-day in Cape Town on Sunday.