India fell short against World Test Champions South Africa by 30 runs in their opening Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, on Sunday, November 16. The hosts were unable to chase down a modest target of 124 runs on a challenging turning track, collapsing to 94 all out in just two sessions of the second innings. This defeat put India 0-1 behind in the two-match Test series.

Interestingly, this marks India’s fourth home loss since the 0-3 whitewash by New Zealand last year, raising concerns about their performances on home soil.

### Match Summary

Batting first, South Africa posted 159 runs in their first innings. Jasprit Bumrah emerged as the leading Indian wicket-taker with a five-wicket haul, while Mohammed Siraj and Kuldeep Yadav picked up two wickets each.

In response, India managed 189 runs in their first innings, securing a 30-run lead. Simon Harmer starred with the ball for South Africa, taking four wickets, supported by three wickets from Marco Jansen.

In the second innings, South Africa scored 153 runs to set a target of 124 for India. Skipper Temba Bavuma was the lone fifty-maker, remaining unbeaten on 55 off 136 balls. Ravindra Jadeja was the standout bowler for India with four wickets, while Kuldeep Yadav and Mohammed Siraj took two wickets each.

### Final Innings Drama

In the fourth innings, Harmer once again troubled the Indian batsmen, recording his second four-wicket haul of the match. Keshav Maharaj and Marco Jansen shared two wickets apiece.

Notably, Shubman Gill was forced to retire hurt due to neck stiffness after scoring four runs in the first innings and did not bat again in the second innings. Vice-captain Rishabh Pant took over the leadership duties in the second innings after Gill’s injury.

### Expert Reactions to India’s Shock Defeat

Following the loss, several former cricketers voiced strong criticism of India’s declining home performances, including Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Cheteshwar Pujara, Dale Steyn, and Ajinkya Rahane.

#### Harbhajan Singh
The former India spinner criticized the team management for preparing spin-friendly pitches that led to an early finish of the match inside three days. Speaking on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan lamented:

> “It is sad to see the Test cricket situation, the way Test cricket is being played. Matches are ending in two and a half days. For me, this is shocking, shocking. And this is not changing. I do not know for what reason. We have just lost matches against New Zealand, and now again at home, this kind of pitch has been made.
> We went to England and played such good cricket there, and once they came home again, the same useless work. What is the difference then? Why are we doing this? I do not understand. You have such a good team. Your batting is solid. Your bowling, your spin department is solid. Your fast bowling, you have solid fast bowlers, Bumrah, Siraj. What else do you need? Even if not in two and a half days, you will win in five days. But at least make good pitches. What is even happening? It is beyond my understanding.”

#### Anil Kumble
Former India captain Anil Kumble criticized the on-field captaincy of Rishabh Pant for not starting with Jasprit Bumrah on Day 3 when South Africa was 63 for 7 chasing a target. He pointed out that all three wickets that fell that day were taken by pacers and questioned the decision to spread out the fields instead of giving Bumrah the first over.

> “When the day started, South Africa were 63 for 7 and that was the lead. Temba Bavuma was still there. But having spread-out fields and not giving the first over to your best bowler, Jasprit Bumrah, was questionable. All three wickets that fell were to the fast bowlers. Overall, India were certainly outdone by South Africa.”

#### Dale Steyn
Former South Africa fast bowler Dale Steyn offered a contrasting perspective to Gautam Gambhir, highlighting how difficult the pitch was for batting.

> “I certainly saw quite a lot. Some balls are spinning two feet past the bat, hitting the keeper on the shoulder. The next one is skidding through, hitting the pad, and you’re out. That’s pretty tough to bat on. When batters don’t have the option to score runs, the application of defense becomes the biggest key. That itself means batting is really difficult.
> The two who applied themselves best were Washington Sundar in the fourth innings and Temba Bavuma. Even they looked like they could have gotten out at any time, a ball had their number on it. But their defense was the most solid. This wicket certainly has demons in it, that’s for sure. Any Test match that finishes within three days has got some demons in it, for sure.”

#### Cheteshwar Pujara
Former India batter Cheteshwar Pujara strongly disagreed with head coach Gautam Gambhir’s post-match comments suggesting the loss was due to a transition phase.

> “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). India lost in England and Australia due to the transitional phase, which 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.
> India had a better chance to win this Test if the match had been played on a good wicket. How do you define Test cricket? On which wickets will your percentage to win be higher? That percentage drops on such wickets, and the opposition becomes equal to you. So, play on good wickets because even India A can win against South Africa; that is the amount of talent India has.”

#### Ajinkya Rahane
Former India captain and current cricket analyst Ajinkya Rahane described the pitch as very challenging for batsmen and suggested the team should have taken a more attacking approach while chasing a low target.

> “The kind of pitch we had in Kolkata was very challenging for the batsmen. I felt that in the Indian team, maybe two batters should have been given the freedom to go out and play attacking cricket, play attacking shots. Whenever you are chasing a small target like 125 or 130 on a tricky wicket, you need to let two batters play freely. If you give them that freedom and tell them to play their natural game and their shots, it can help.
> There was definitely a lot for the Indian team, especially the Indian batsmen, to learn. But I am sure the Indian team will come back really strong, and this loss will definitely hurt them.”

### What’s Next?

The two teams will meet again in the second Test at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati, starting November 22. India will look to bounce back and level the series on home soil against a formidable South African side.

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