Cheteshwar Pujara, known for his calm temperament, remarkable patience at the crease and years of anchoring India’s Test middle order, remains one of the most respected voices in Indian cricket. His understanding of tough conditions and pressure situations has shaped countless memorable innings and that experience now guides his honest assessments of the game. It is from this lens that he viewed India’s latest home defeat.
India’s 30-run loss to South Africa at Eden Gardens did not sit well with Cheteshwar Pujara and he was quick to reject the idea that the team fell short because it is going through a transition phase. The match had already tilted away from India when the chase of 124 never quite gathered structure or calmness. Their innings folded for just 93 in 35 overs, a stark contrast to the composed effort displayed by the South African captain Temba Bavuma earlier in the day. India’s captain Shubman Gill, who had been hospitalised with a neck injury, was unable to bat on the final day, deepening the crisis.
Speaking on a sports show, Pujara said he found it impossible to accept the argument that a transitional phase could justify a home defeat. He felt that losing in England or Australia during such a phase might be understandable but falling short in India, despite the rich pool of domestic talent, signals something deeper. He pointed to the strong first-class records of players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar and Shubman Gill, insisting that with such credentials, India should not be faltering in their own conditions.
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Washington Sundar was the only Indian batter who managed to cross 30, battling his way to 31 off 92 deliveries. South African off-spinner Simon Harmer fully exploited the surface, finishing with outstanding figures of four wickets for just 21 runs in his 14 overs.
Cheteshwar Pujara did not hide his disappointment with the Kolkata pitch either. He felt that India would have stood a much better chance had the match been played on a balanced, well-prepared surface that allowed skill to shine rather than survival alone. In his view, the nature of the wicket plays a large role in determining how evenly matched two sides become and overly difficult pitches reduce India’s advantage.
He went as far as to say that India’s bench strength is so vast that even an India A side could defeat South Africa in home conditions. To him, Test cricket should be contested on proper wickets, the kind that reward ability, patience and resilience, and give India the best odds of winning.
Through his candid reflections, Pujara delivered a clear message — India has the talent needed to dominate at home. What the team now requires is the right platform and fair, competitive pitches which allow that talent to flourish.
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