Former Indian batsman Cheteshwar Pujara, who was once a part of India’s golden era of Test cricket, was furious after the home team’s defeat in the first Test against South Africa.
Gautam Gambhir’s short one-year reign with the Indian national cricket team saw India suffer another crushing defeat in red-ball cricket. The Indian head coach joined the team last year, and since then, India have lost the home Test series to New Zealand, drawn the Test series in England and now started the South Africa home series with a disappointing defeat.
They were also eliminated from the race for the WTC final after a crushing 3-1 defeat at the hands of the mighty Australian team in the Border-Gavaskar Trophy. During Gambhir’s reign, only two wins have come against weak teams like Bangladesh and West Indies and that too at home.
Cheteshwar Pujara rejects ‘infection’ theory for major irregularities in home Tests
India not only lost the first Test against South Africa but also suffered humiliation by failing to chase the modest target of 124 runs. The Indian bowlers undoubtedly performed well with the ball, but failed miserably with the willow.
Talking about India’s immense talent, former Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara mentioned that ‘the team is going through a period of change’ cannot be an acceptable excuse to lose such a game, that too on home soil.
Pujara said, “I am not ready to accept that the reason for the Indian team’s defeat at home would be change. If they had lost the matches in Australia and England, it would have been acceptable because we are in a period of change.”
“But the talent this team has. You can pick the first-class record of any of these players, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Washington Sundar; they all have such impressive statistics, yet we failed to win a single match at home,” he said.
Pujara takes a dig at Indian management for poor strategies and pitch preparation
After highlighting that change or improvement within the team is not the only concern, Cheteshwar Pujara took a dig at the Indian team’s strategies and pitch management ideas.
He clearly said that if it had been a better pitch, India’s chances of victory would have been better. This also sounds imaginary, yet it is true that on the pitches of the subcontinent, the Indian bowlers will have the upper hand anyway, but pitches like Eden Gardens often force the opposition bowlers to play.
“You need to check on which type of track you will have a better chance of winning. Your percentage goes down on such wickets. The opposition comes into the game as an equal contender. So, it would be better if you play on good wickets, because India has so many talented players that even India A can beat this South African team on a better wicket,” Pujara concluded.
“India losing a Test match on home ground is not acceptable.” #Cheteshwarpujara Says India’s rare home loss has unsettled him.
Desire #TeamIndia Score equal to 1-1 in the second test against South Africa? Leave your comments below.#INDvSA Second Test starts Sat, 22 Nov, 8 am pic.twitter.com/HrzZYxqfnV
– Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) 16 November 2025
India will reach Guwahati in search of a series win
India has lost the first match in Kolkata and has lagged behind in the home Test series. They will probably go to Guwahati tomorrow or day after tomorrow after Shubman Gill is discharged from the hospital. Another scenario could be that the Indian captain is out of the next Test.
In that case, Rishabh Pant will lead India in Guwahati. The Guwahati Test is very important from India’s point of view, as it will not only help them avoid a clean sweep in the home series but will also lift their position in the WTC points table.
Also read: South Africa head coach issues official statement on Jasprit Bumrah’s ‘dwarf’ comment on Temba Bavuma
