Follow UsIndia losing a Test at home has become a common feature these days. In the last six matches, they have won just two and lost the remaining four. Their loss includes a 3-0 clean sweep at the hands of New Zealand.
However, India had it in their hands to win the first Test against South Africa in Kolkata, but they let it slip. First with the ball and then with the bat, getting bowled out for just 93.
Former India batter Mohammad Kaif believes India's field setting was not ideal and has blamed Rishabh Pant for not having their field up and as a result, the Proteas were able to get those easy ones and twos. Pant was in charge after Shubman Gill was ruled out of the Test after suffering a neck spasm.
"We gave them too many singles. Is it easy to score against four spinners on a turning track? Keep a mid-on, bring the point up, and ask the batters to take the challenge. The fielders were behind and 70-80% of their runs came in singles. Pant kept an in and out field with Gill not there and that also had an effect. He also took some time to understand things," Kaif said on his YouTube channel.
"There would have been a difference if Gill was there. He could not play both innings. If we got a better lead, say 50, 60 or 100 runs, we would put South Africa out of the game there itself. It was a miss. Not having him on the field as captain was also a miss. In the second innings, he was not there in the chase. So there is definitely a direct connection as Gill is one of our best batters at the moment. He is in form as well such a player can save you in such situations."
Kaif was quick to praise South Africa as they took smart decisions which eventually tilted the game in their favour.
"South Africa's strength has been their fielding and captaincy, history is witness to this. When Markram got Sundar out, praise Bavuma as a captain that he stopped Maharaj and got Markram in there. Sundar was a set batter at that point. Whenever they got any chances, there were fielders there too. You talk about the fielding and the bowling changes. They even won without Rabada," he said.
India will now look to draw level in the second Test, which will be played in Guwahati from November 22 (Saturday) onwards. A draw or a loss in that game would result in India's second series loss at home under head coach Gautam Gambhir.