The dust hasn’t even settled on India’s humiliating 30-run loss to South Africa in the first Test at Eden Gardens, Kolkata—and already, the verdict from cricketing legends is in: India Test side is far from the world-beater it claims to be. In unusually blunt comments, former Indian cricketers have hit out at the team’s poor planning, technical frailties against spin, and questionable selection calls that led to one of the most embarrassing home defeats in recent memory [[2] ].
Table of Contents
- How India Lost a Winnable Game
- Ex-Cricketers Don’t Hold Back
- The Alarming Decline Against Spin Bowling
- Questionable Selections Under Fire
- Can India Rebuild Its Test Credibility?
- Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call or the New Normal?
- Sources
How India Lost a Winnable Game
Chasing just 124 runs for victory on a spinning track, India was bowled out for a meager 93—marking their fourth home Test loss in six matches [[2] ]. The collapse wasn’t just about the pitch; it exposed a team mentally unprepared, technically deficient, and strategically rudderless. South Africa’s spinners Keshav Maharaj and Simon Harmer outplayed India’s vaunted batting lineup on a surface they were supposed to dominate [[3] ].
This wasn’t an away loss in alien conditions. This was Eden Gardens. Home turf. And yet, the India Test side looked like a team playing its first-ever Test.
Ex-Cricketers Don’t Hold Back
Former players didn’t mince words. “We can’t call ourselves a top Test side anymore,” said one ex-international, echoing a sentiment shared across studios and columns [[1] ]. Another pointed to the “repeated tactical mistakes” and “lack of accountability” in team planning. The criticism wasn’t just about one bad day—it was about a pattern of decline that’s becoming impossible to ignore.
Most damning was the observation that while visiting teams are bringing better spinners and smarter plans, India’s batters are regressing in their ability to handle quality spin—especially on turning tracks they once owned.
The Alarming Decline Against Spin Bowling
Historically, India’s strength at home was built on spin-friendly pitches and batters who could not only survive but dominate spin. Today, that advantage has flipped. Recent stats show that Indian batters are now more vulnerable to spin at home than ever before [[4] ].
Consider this: in the last three home Test series, India has lost multiple games primarily due to collapses against opposition spinners. What’s changed?
- Footwork has gone static: Batters plant their front foot and hope, instead of using feet to get to the pitch of the ball.
- Poor shot selection: Unnecessary sweeps, reckless reverse sweeps, and loose drives against turning deliveries.
- Lack of intent to rotate strike: Leads to pressure buildup and wickets in clusters.
This isn’t just a skill gap—it’s a mindset problem. For deeper insights into technical batting flaws, check out our analysis on how modern batters struggle against spin.
Questionable Selections Under Fire
Former players also questioned team management’s decisions, particularly the promotion of part-time batters up the order. The choice to send Washington Sundar in at No. 3—a move criticized by Cheteshwar Pujara as a “wrong decision”—was seen as emblematic of a larger strategic confusion [[5] ].
Moreover, the absence of specialist spin-batters or even a proper No. 6 who can handle pressure raises questions about squad balance. “You can’t win Test matches by gambling with your batting order,” remarked one analyst.
Can India Rebuild Its Test Credibility?
With the second Test looming, the India Test side faces a critical crossroads. Here’s what needs to happen:
- Revert to core strengths: Play proper Test-match cricket—defend well, leave wisely, and build partnerships.
- Drop ego, not just players: Admit that the current approach isn’t working and recalibrate the game plan.
- Invest in domestic red-ball cricket: Nurture batters who can play long innings, not just T20 fireworks.
- Trust proven performers: Bring back players with a track record of handling pressure in home conditions.
Rebuilding credibility starts with honesty—and right now, India’s cricket leadership needs a heavy dose of it.
Conclusion: A Wake-Up Call or the New Normal?
The ex-cricketers’ message is clear: stop hiding behind rankings and past glories. The India Test side is in crisis mode, and the loss to South Africa is merely a symptom, not the disease. Unless there’s a fundamental shift in preparation, selection, and batting philosophy—especially against spin—this could become the new normal. And for a nation that once prided itself on home dominance, that’s a hard pill to swallow.
Sources
- The Times of India: ‘Can’t call ourselves top Test side’ – Ex-cricketers hit out after defeat in Kolkata
- ESPNCricinfo: India vs South Africa 1st Test Scorecard
- NDTV Sports: Why India’s Batting Collapsed Against Spin
- Cricket.com: India’s Home Test Record Since 2024