IND vs SA: 'Can't call ourselves top Test side' - Ex-cricketers hit out after India’s defeat in Kolkata

Former India cricketers reacted strongly after the team’s 30-run loss to South Africa at Eden Gardens, a match in which India could not chase 124. The defeat has reopened questions about selections, planning and India’s struggles on turning pitches.

Former cricketer Irfan Pathan said India’s ability to play spin has reduced over time.


"Skills to play spin on turning tracks around the world have definitely gone down, but this kind of batting from India shows how much our own ability has dropped too. Soft hands, wrist work, all of it has declined drastically," Pathan said on X.

Wasim Jaffer said India have not corrected mistakes seen in earlier defeats.

"Looks like we haven't learned our lesson from NZ (New Zealand) series loss. The gap between our spinners and opposition spinners reduces on pitches like this. We need to go back to classic Indian pitches, like the ones in the 2016-17 season when Virat was captain and Eng and NZ toured," Jaffer said on X.

Mohammad Kaif said South Africa used the conditions better.

"South Africa showed if you bowl well, two spinners are enough to win a Test match in India," Kaif remarked.

Venkatesh Prasad said the loss shows larger problems in India’s Test plans.

"While we have been excellent in white-ball cricket, we can't call ourselves a top Test side with such planning. Selections without clarity and over-tactical thinking are backfiring. Poor results over a year in Tests barring a drawn series in England," Prasad said on X.

Former Gujarat cricketer Priyank Panchal pointed to repeated errors in India’s approach.

"First New Zealand, now this. Preference to all-rounders over specialists. Lack of robust gameplan for home Test matches. Absence of understanding of pacing an innings in the longest format. Performance in flat tracks of England aside, disappointing returns otherwise," he said on X.

Badrinath also shared his concerns.

Badrinath said, "Disappointing to see India’s batting against spin decline while visiting spinners keep improving with every tour, the complete opposite of how it used to be."


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