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"Losing at home is unacceptable": Pujara blames Eden Gardens pitch after India loss

Soumyajit Dutta

Gautam Gambhir and Cheteshwar Pujara [Source: @SelflessCricket/X.com]Gautam Gambhir and Cheteshwar Pujara [Source: @SelflessCricket/X.com]

India had a hard time at Eden Gardens in the first Test against South Africa after they lost by 30 runs, with the five-day affair wrapping up within three days. India's Test veteran Cheteshwar Pujara was vocal about the loss, openly criticising the wicket as the main reason for the defeat. 

After India bowled out South Africa for 159 runs on Day 1, their own innings also stumbled as they managed only 189 runs to secure a skimpy lead.

South Africa then put up 153 in their second innings, setting India a target of 124. While the chase looked achievable, India were tottering at two wickets down for just one run within the first two overs of the innings. 

This triggered serious questions about the Eden pitch, the home turf apparently prepared as per the request of Gautam Gambhir and his management group.

Pujara spits facts after India's bull-headed pitch preparation tactics

Speaking on a live Star Sports show, Pujara said he could not accept the idea that India lost due to a transition phase. Under new captain Shubman Gill, the Test squad features several young players, but Pujara insisted that losing at home is unacceptable, regardless of transition. 

"I do not agree that just because of the transition, India will lose at home. I cannot digest the fact that India will lose at home. It is okay if they lose in Australia or England, but with the talent this new team possesses, India losing at home is not acceptable," Pujara said.

He added that the first-class records of these youngsters are impressive, and while failures can happen, they should not happen on home pitches.

"Look at the first-class records of all the players: Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, Washington Sundar, every one of them has such a good record!" Pujara added.

Pujara pinpointed pitch preparation as the sole reason for India’s downfall at Eden Gardens, stressing that even an India A side could beat South Africa on a fair surface. Being trapped by their own pitch, does not make any sense.

"Despite that, if we are losing, it means something is wrong. If we played this match on a good wicket, then India might have won the game. So how do you define Test cricket? On this type of pitch (Eden Gardens), the opponent gets an equal opportunity as us. So play on good pitches. We have so much talent that even India A can win a match against South Africa. So hearing that India lost because of transition is not an excuse at all!" Pujara concluded.

India now move to Guwahati for the second Test on November 22. It will be a series decider. If India win, they draw the series 1–1, but if South Africa triumph, they seal it 2–0.