Former Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara, who was as soon as part of India’s golden period of Take a look at cricket, was livid after the lack of the house workforce within the first Take a look at towards South Africa.
India confronted one other crushing defeat in red-ball cricket below Gautam Gambhir’s quick reign of 1 yr with the Indian Nationwide Cricket Workforce. The Indian head coach joined the facet final yr, and since then, India have misplaced a house Take a look at sequence to New Zealand, drawn a Take a look at sequence in England, and now began the South Africa residence sequence with a tragic loss.
They have been additionally snubbed from the race for the WTC finals after a crushing 3-1 defeat on the Border-Gavaskar Trophy by the hands of the mighty Aussies. The one two wins below Gambhir’s reign have been towards minnows like Bangladesh and the West Indies, and that too at residence.
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Cheteshwar Pujara disapproves of the ‘transition’ principle for main goof-ups in residence Assessments
India haven’t solely misplaced the primary Take a look at towards South Africa however has additionally been left humiliated for having did not chase down a modest goal of 124. The Indian bowlers undoubtedly did a good job with the ball, however failed miserably with the willow.
Talking of the immense expertise India possesses, former Indian cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara talked about that ‘the workforce present process transition’ can’t be a suitable excuse for shedding such a recreation, that too on the house turf.
“I’m not prepared to simply accept that transition could be the explanation behind the Indian workforce shedding on their residence soil. Had they misplaced matches in Australia and England, it could have been acceptable since we’re in a transition part,” stated Pujara.
“However the expertise this workforce possesses. You may decide the first-class file of any of those gamers, Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill and Washington Sundar; all of them have such spectacular figures, regardless of which we did not win a match at residence,” he added.
Pujara’s sharp jibe at Indian administration for poor methods and pitch preparation
After highlighting that the transition or a revamp throughout the workforce just isn’t the one concern, Cheteshwar Pujara went on to take a jibe on the methods and pitch administration concepts of the Indian workforce.
He clearly acknowledged that had it been a greater pitch, the likelihood of India’s win would have been higher. This additionally appears hypothetical, but it’s the reality that Indian bowlers would anyway have the higher hand on subcontinent tracks, however pitches like what was witnessed on the Eden Gardens usually deliver the opposition bowlers into play.
“You might want to verify on what sort of tracks you’ll have a greater alternative to win. Your share reduces to an all-time low on such wickets. The opposition comes into play as an equal contender. So, you’d higher play on a very good wicket, as a result of India has so many proficient gamers that even India A can defeat this South African workforce on a greater wicket,” Pujara concluded.
“India shedding a check match at residence just isn’t acceptable.” #CheteshwarPujara says India’s uncommon residence loss has left him upset. 😬
Will #TeamIndia make it 1-1 within the 2nd Take a look at towards South Africa? Drop your feedback under. ⬇🤔#INDvSA | 2nd Take a look at begins 👉 SAT, NOV 22, 8 AM pic.twitter.com/HrzZYxqfnV
— Star Sports activities (@StarSportsIndia) November 16, 2025
India will advance to Guwahati looking for a series-levelling win
India misplaced the primary recreation at Kolkata and is behind within the residence Take a look at sequence. They may transfer to Guwahati tomorrow or the day after, probably after Shubman Gill is discharged from the hospital. The opposite situation could be that the Indian skipper is dominated out of the subsequent Take a look at.
Underneath that situation, India could be led by Rishabh Pant at Guwahati. The Guwahati Take a look at holds immense significance from India’s standpoint, since that may not solely assist them keep away from a clear sweep within the residence sequence but additionally elevate their place within the WTC factors desk.
