Former Indian batter Cheteshwar Pujara, who was as soon as part of India’s golden period of Check cricket, was livid after the lack of the house staff within the first Check in opposition to South Africa.
India confronted one other crushing defeat in red-ball cricket beneath Gautam Gambhir’s quick reign of 1 yr with the Indian Nationwide Cricket Group. The Indian head coach joined the aspect final yr, and since then, India have misplaced a house Check sequence to New Zealand, drawn a Check sequence in England, and now began the South Africa house 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 beneath Gambhir’s reign have been in opposition to minnows like Bangladesh and the West Indies, and that too at house.
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Cheteshwar Pujara disapproves of the ‘transition’ idea for main goof-ups in house Exams
India haven’t solely misplaced the primary Check in opposition to 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 staff present process transition’ can’t be a suitable excuse for dropping such a recreation, that too on the house turf.
“I’m not prepared to simply accept that transition can be the rationale behind the Indian staff dropping on their house soil. Had they misplaced matches in Australia and England, it will have been acceptable since we’re in a transition section,” mentioned Pujara.
“However the expertise this staff possesses. You possibly can choose 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 house,” he added.
Pujara’s sharp jibe at Indian administration for poor methods and pitch preparation
After highlighting that the transition or a revamp inside the staff is just not the one concern, Cheteshwar Pujara went on to take a jibe on the methods and pitch administration concepts of the Indian staff.
He clearly acknowledged that had it been a greater pitch, the chance 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 convey the opposition bowlers into play.
“It’s good to test on what kind of tracks you should 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 an excellent wicket, as a result of India has so many gifted gamers that even India A can defeat this South African staff on a greater wicket,” Pujara concluded.
“India dropping a take a look at match at house is just not acceptable.” #CheteshwarPujara says India’s uncommon house loss has left him upset. 😬
Will #TeamIndia make it 1-1 within the 2nd Check in opposition to South Africa? Drop your feedback beneath. ⬇🤔#INDvSA | 2nd Check 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 house Check sequence. They are going to transfer to Guwahati tomorrow or the day after, probably after Shubman Gill is discharged from the hospital. The opposite state of affairs is likely to be that the Indian skipper is dominated out of the subsequent Check.
Underneath that state of affairs, India is likely to be led by Rishabh Pant at Guwahati. The Guwahati Check holds immense significance from India’s perspective, since that will not solely assist them keep away from a clear sweep within the house sequence but additionally elevate their place within the WTC factors desk.
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