Cheteshwar Pujara slams ‘transition’ narrative, says India’s home losses are 'not acceptable'

Cheteshwar Pujara slams India after Eden Gardens loss. (Photo: X)

Cheteshwar Pujara usually known for his calm and cool attitude showed extreme disappointment after India lost the Kolkata Test against South Africa. Team India suffered a 30-run defeat which also the nation's fourth loss at home in their last six Tests. The focus has now shifted on team’s selection calls, pitch preparation and more things under head coach Gautam Gambhir.

“Transition ki wajah se Bharatiya team Bharat mein haare, woh digest nahi ho sakta,” Pujara said without hesitation.

Also Read | ‘Hope Gautam Gambhir is listening’: Sourav Ganguly sends message to India coach after Kolkata defeat

Even in the transition phase where big names like Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma and R Ashwin are getting replaced, India losing at home with the type of quality players they have is truly unacceptable.

"India losing a test match at home is not acceptable." #CheteshwarPujara says India’s rare home loss has left him upset.

Will #TeamIndia make it 1-1 in the 2nd Test against South Africa? Drop your comments below. #INDvSA | 2nd Test starts SAT, NOV 22, 8 AM pic.twitter.com/HrzZYxqfnV

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— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 16, 2025

Pujara explained that losing in England or Australia during the rebuilding phase is understandable at one point but not at home with the domestic records players like Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Shubman Gill, and Washington Sundar possess.

His​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌ remarks echoed the views of so many supporters that these problems are not just a temporary transition but go much deeper.

Also Read | 'Sab darr ke khel rahe hain': Ex-India cricketer questions players' trust in Gautam Gambhir

India practically made their home conditions their stronghold fortress for almost twelve years. Between 2012 and 2024, they put together an almost unbelievable home record: 42 wins and only 3 defeats in 53 Tests. Their era of dominance was broken last year when New Zealand managed a surprising 3–0 series win on very dry turning pitches in Pune and Mumbai. Now after a year, the trend has become worse with another defeat at Eden Gardens.

The Indian team has lost four of their last six home Tests, which is their most unstable stretch of the last twenty years, at least. South Africa are just one match away from what would be only their second-ever Test series win in India and thus the pressure on Gautam Gambhir’s leadership has reached a tipping ​‍​‌‍​‍‌​‍​‌‍​‍‌point.