Former cricketer Cheteshwar Pujara has said that one cannot say that India lost on home soil because they are undergoing a transition period, calling the argument baseless, after India succumbed to a 30-run
defeat to South Africa on a crumbling pitch at the Eden Gardens.
Chasing 124, India never showed the composure or method that South Africa skipper Temba Bavuma had demonstrated earlier in the day to be bowled out for just 93 in 35 overs.
Hospitalised because of a neck injury, India skipper Shubman Gill wasn’t available to bat on the third day.
“I don’t agree with this. Transition ki wajah se Bharatiya team Bharat mein haare, woh digest nahi ho sakta (The Indian team losing in India because of the transition cannot be digested),” Pujara said while speaking on Star Sports.
“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
— Star Sports (@StarSportsIndia) November 16, 2025
“India lost in England and Australia due to the transitional phase, which is still acceptable. But the talent and potential that India has, look at the first-class records of Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar and Shubman Gill. Despite those first-class records, if we lose in India, it means that something is wrong,” Pujara added.
Sundar was the lone Indian batter to cross 30, battling his way to 31 off 92 deliveries. Off-spinner Simon Harmer led the Proteas attack, returning figures of 14-4-21-4 in the innings.
Pujara was unimpressed with the Kolkata track as well, suggesting that India would stand a better chance of winning on more balanced, good-quality wickets.
Pujara stressed that India’s talent pool is deep, even asserting that an India A team could defeat South Africa in a home Test.
“India had a better chance to win this Test if the match had been played on a good wicket. How do you define Tests? On which wickets will your percentage to win be higher? That percentage drops on such wickets and the opposition becomes equal to you,” Pujara said.
“So, play on good wickets because even India A can win against South Africa; that is the amount of talent India has,” Pujara added.
