Team India suffered a shambolic 30-run defeat against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in the first Test of the two-match series. The Indian batting unit collapsed once again, surrendering against South Africa spinners as they were bowled out for just 93 runs in the fourth innings while chasing a 124-run target. Overall, India lost 12 wickets to spin across the match. Player of the Match Simon Harmer picked up four wickets in each innings, while Keshav Maharaj added three and Aiden Markram chipped in with one.
A recurring concern at home
This has now become a worrying pattern for India on their own soil. In their last six home Tests, India have lost four times — thrice against New Zealand and now once against South Africa. In all these defeats, opposition spinners played a decisive role.
During the 0–3 home series loss to New Zealand, India lost 15 wickets to Ajaz Patel (in five innings), 13 to Mitchell Santner (in two innings), eight to Glenn Phillips (in five innings) and one to Ish Sodhi (in one innings). These figures underline how heavily India have struggled against visiting spinners across recent years.
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The sight of Indian batters failing against spin in home conditions has left fans stunned. India have traditionally been known for producing some of the world’s finest players of spin, yet their numbers over the last five years tell a different story. Opposing spinners have consistently found ways to trouble them, exposing technical and temperament issues.
Pitch debate and declining numbers
On several occasions, questions have been raised about the pitches offered to the home team, especially when the ball starts spinning from Day 1. But these turning surfaces, prepared to aid Indian spinners, have often hurt India more. The team has repeatedly fallen into the very trap intended for their opponents.
From 2016 to 2019, India lost 150 wickets in 108 home innings, scoring at 3.67. But from 2020 till now, they have already lost 255 wickets in 133 innings, scoring at 3.50. In this period, opposition spinners have picked up 13 five-wicket hauls and four ten-wicket hauls. Ajaz Patel’s historic 10-for at Wankhede in 2021 remains the biggest example England’s Shoaib Bashir, Tom Hartley and Australia’s Todd Murphy also delivered some outstanding spells on their maiden tours in 2024, dismantling India’s batting order.
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Questions were raised about the Eden Gardens pitch after the latest loss, but India head coach Gautam Gambhir dismissed such concerns. He said the surface had “no demons” and the target was “chasable”, adding that the batters’ techniques were tested and they need to improve their skill against spin on helpful tracks.
All eyes now turn to November 22 in Guwahati for the second Test. Can India come up with a better plan to counter Harmer and Co., or will South Africa hand them a shocking 0–2 clean sweep? The answer to this will be known soon.
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