Kolkata, November 16, 2025 - India suffered a shocking 30-run defeat against South Africa in the first Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, collapsing for a mere 93 runs while chasing a modest target of 124. The loss, which came on a challenging, uneven surface, has sparked criticism and frustration among fans and experts alike.
Rishabh Pant, who stood in as captain due to Shubman Gill's injury, didn't mince words in his assessment of the defeat. He acknowledged that the team had let a golden opportunity slip. "We should have chased this score, but pressure kept building on us in the 2nd innings, and we didn't capitalise enough," Pant said during the post-match presentation.
Pant pointed to the partnership between Temba Bavuma and Corbin Bosch as the turning point of the match. The pair added 47 runs for the eighth wicket in the morning session, extending South Africa's lead and making the target more challenging on a deteriorating pitch. "Temba and Bosch had a brilliant partnership in the morning, and it hurt us later in the game, and that changed the game," Pant admitted.
Despite the challenging conditions, Pant refused to use the pitch as an excuse. He acknowledged the uneven bounce and turn but stressed that the Indian batters needed to handle the chase with greater composure. "There was help on the wicket, but a score like 120 can be tricky on this surface, but as a team we should be able to soak in the pressure and capitalise," Pant stated.
The Indian batting lineup struggled against South Africa's bowlers, with Simon Harmer leading the attack with a match-winning eight-wicket haul. Marco Jansen's early strikes also destabilized India's start, and Keshav Maharaj took two crucial wickets to seal the victory. Only Washington Sundar (29), Pant himself (27), and Ravindra Jadeja (27) managed to get starts but failed to convert them into substantial scores.
The defeat has triggered a wave of criticism, with former cricketers and fans questioning India's approach and planning. Concerns have been raised about the team's ability to play spin, with some experts suggesting that India's skills in this area have declined. Some also pointed out the team's over-reliance on all-rounders instead of specialist batsmen.
India now trails 1-0 in the two-match series and will aim to bounce back in the second Test in Guwahati, starting on November 22. Pant emphasized the need to put the defeat behind them and focus on the next match. "We feel a game like this, you can't dwell on it too much... We are going to come back stronger," he asserted.
The loss marks South Africa's first Test win in India since 2010, highlighting the significance of their achievement. It also represents the first Test in India where all four innings saw teams scoring below 200, a rare occurrence in Test cricket.
