India’s crushing defeat to South Africa in the opening Test at Kolkata has opened up a fresh debate about the team’s technique and temperament against spin—ironically, in conditions designed to favour them. Chasing a modest 124, India collapsed unbelievably to 30 all out, one of their lowest totals on home soil.
To make matters worse, the wider trend is alarming. Since Gautam Gambhir took charge as head coach, India have played eight home Tests, losing four of them. All four victories came against weaker opponents—Bangladesh (2) and West Indies (2)—while defeats have come against stronger visiting sides.
India’s Home Test Record Under Gambhir
| Matches | Wins | Losses | Wins Against |
|---|---|---|---|
| 8 | 4 | 4 | Bangladesh (2), West Indies (2) |
A Rare Statistical Anomaly at Eden Gardens
The Kolkata Test produced a scorecard almost unheard of in modern cricket:
All four innings saw totals below 200
First time ever in India
Only 11th time in Test history
Last occurrence in 1959
India’s second-innings capitulation for 93 simply magnified the criticism.
Irfan Pathan: “Basic Skills Are Declining”
Former all-rounder Irfan Pathan did not mince words. In a strongly worded post, he said:
“Our ability to play spin on turning tracks has clearly declined. India’s collapse shows how much our skill levels have dropped. Soft hands, wrist work, control — these qualities are fading.”
Pathan suggests that the subtle, intricate skills that once defined Indian batting are no longer visible.
Wasim Jaffer Offers a Tactical Solution
Former opener Wasim Jaffer echoed Pathan’s concerns but offered a more strategic remedy:
“It seems we learned nothing from the New Zealand series defeat. On pitches like these, the gap between our spinners and theirs almost disappears. We must return to classic Indian pitches — like in 2016–17 under Kohli, when England and New Zealand toured.”
Jaffer argues that excessively spin-friendly surfaces neutralise India’s advantage rather than enhancing it.
Are India Misreading Home Conditions?
Both veterans point to the same core issue: India are manufacturing pitches that are too extreme, rendering batting nearly impossible for both sides. Such tracks may offer quick results, but they undermine India’s strengths—skilled batting against spin and spinners who thrive over long spells.
The defeat has reignited a crucial question:
Should India return to traditional slow-burn Indian pitches that reward skill and patience, or continue preparing ultra-turning surfaces that risk backfiring?
The answer may shape India’s Test fortunes for years to come.