- By Namrata Vijay
- Thu, 20 Nov 2025 12:20 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
IND vs SA 1st Test: AB de Villiers has revealed that team India head coach Gautam Gambhir has indirectly slammed his own players by making those comments on the Eden Gardens pitch when the hosts lost to South Africa in the series opener last week. The match got over within three days on a pitch, which had uneven bounce, sharp turn, and assisted both spinners and pacers.
The visitors took full advantage after winning the toss, and off-spinner Simon Harmer's eight-wicket haul helped them win the match. Post losing the match, Gambhir tried to defend this pitch and said that this is what they had asked for. He emphasised that brilliant defensive skills would have helped them to score more runs.
It was really hard to bat on this pitch, and no batter except South African skipper Temba Bavuma was able to hit a fifty. Gambhir reiterated the fact that it was the exact pitch that they had asked for. De Villiers is of the view that this statement showed his disappointment with his own players.
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"Before I could blink, the Test match was over. Exactly the wicket India wanted, says India coach Gautam Gambhir. Very interesting comments there. Maybe he is having a go at the players, saying, 'This is what we prepared, why didn't we perform? '"De Villiers was quoted as saying on his YouTube channel.
He revealed that this comment showed that Gambhir was disappointed with the team's performance. He also said that the team's long-standing domination at home is now slipping away.
"An interesting trend is developing in India over the last three to five years. Obviously, it is very difficult to beat India at home, but over the last three to five years, things are changing," he said. "Some concerns for India. They have lost four games there, and that is unheard of. What is happening here? Have they become the worst players of spin? I don't think so. Oppositions are more prepared and understand the conditions," he added.
He also said that the Men in Blue should reconsider the kind of pitches they ask for in home Test matches.
"Maybe India has to change the makeup of the pitches and not ask for turners. Make it more of a fair Test pitch that will last at least four days," he concluded.
The Proteas will be entering the second Test match with a 1-0 series lead, whereas the Shubman Gill-led side has been criticised for their batting, their way of playing in home matches, and Gambhir's post-match statements.