Team India succumbed to a humiliating 30-run defeat in the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Kolkata on Sunday (November 16).
The hosts squandered advantage after gaining a handy 30-run lead in the first innings as South Africa set a target of 124 on a crumbling track. During the chase, India’s innings folded for a paltry 93, conceding an unassailable 1-0 lead to the visitors in the two-match series.
Speaking on Star Sports, former batter Cheteshwar Pujara weighed in on India's loss in the Kolkata Test, dismissing transition excuses.
“I don’t agree with this. Transition ki wajah se Bharatiya team Bharat mein haare, woh digest nahi ho sakta (The Indian team losing in India because of the transition cannot be digested)," Pujara said.
“If India lost in England and Australia due to the transitional phase, it is still acceptable. But the talent and potential that India has, look at the first-class records of Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar and Shubman Gill. Despite those first-class records, if we lose in India, it means that something is wrong," he added.
The Test match was over inside three days as pitch deteriorated quickly and batters from both sides found it difficult to deal with spinners. Only Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma managed to register a 40-plus score in the game, finishing unbeaten on 55 in the third innings.
Sundar was the sole Indian batter to cross 30-run mark in the fourth innings, battling his way to 31 off 92 deliveries. Off-spinner Simon Harmer led the South African attack, returning with figures of 14-4-21-4.
Pujara was critical of the Kolkata pitch, arguing that India would stand a better chance of winning on more balanced, good-quality wickets.
“India had a better chance to win this Test if the match had been played on a good wicket. How do you define Tests? On which wickets will your percentage to win be higher? That percentage drops on such wickets and the opposition becomes equal to you," Pujara said.
“So, play on good wickets because even India A can win against South Africa; that is the amount of talent India has," he further remarked.
