Former South Africa captain AB de Villiers reacted to Gautam Gambhir’s post-match remarks after India’s defeat in the first Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. De Villiers said that Gambhir’s comments about the pitch were a dig at his own players for failing to perform at the requested conditions.
South Africa has taken a 1-0 lead in the two-match series by defeating India by 30 runs in the match that ended in just two and a half days. The Proteas were all out for 159 in the first innings before restricting India to 189. After this he scored 153 runs in his second innings. Chasing the target of 124 runs, India were all out for only 93 runs.
In his press conference after the defeat, Gautam Gambhir said that the pitch was prepared according to his needs. Gambhir said that they lost the match due to poor batting, adding that players need to show better technique on the challenging surface.
In the last three to five years, things have been changing – AB de Villiers
Responding to Gambhir’s comments on the pitch, AB de Villiers said that the India coach might be pointing fingers at his own players. De Villiers also said that traditionally teams have struggled to beat India in their conditions, but in the last three to five years visiting teams have started to compete strongly.
“Before I could even blink, the Test match was over. It was exactly the wicket India wanted,” says Indian coach Gautam Gambhir. “Very interesting comments there. Maybe he was taking a dig at the players and saying, ‘This is what we prepared for, why didn’t we perform?’ AB de Villiers Said.
“There is an interesting trend developing in India in the last three to five years. Obviously, it is very difficult to beat India at home, but things have been changing in the last three to five years,” he said.
They have lost four games there – AB de Villiers
AB de Villiers highlighted growing concerns about India’s recent home form, saying it is highly unusual to lose four matches on home soil. He rejected the idea that India have suddenly become bad players of spin and said the visiting teams are better prepared for Indian conditions.
“There are some concerns for India. They have lost four matches there and it is unheard of… What is happening here? Have they become worse players of spin? I don’t think so. The opposition are more prepared and understand the conditions,” he said.
Huge pressure on Gautam Gambhir to avoid another series defeat
The first Test was completed within three days, with the pitch having uneven bounce, sharp turn and support for both seamers and spinners. South Africa took advantage after winning the toss and Simon Harmer took eight wickets in the entire match.
Only Temba Bavuma managed to reach a half-century. India failed to chase the target of 124 runs, raising questions over their approach on home pitches. Initially the surface looked like a typical subcontinental wicket and was initially suitable for batting.
However, the wicket deteriorated midway through the first day and by the second day it was almost unplayable. With South Africa leading the series 1-0, they are confidently heading into the final Test. The hosts need to win to level the series and Gambhir will be under pressure to avoid another home series defeat.
Also read: ‘Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma wanted to play more, Gautam Gambhir deliberately removed them’
