Former South Africa cricketer AB de Villiers feels that Gautam Gambhir sent a clear message to the Indian batters with his comments regarding the Eden Gardens pitch after the first Test. The track had become a huge topic of discussion after the Kolkata Test got wrapped up within the first three days and the spinners completely dominated over opposing batters.
The surface not only had uneven bounce but also helped the ball spin rapidly, making it very hard for the batters to survive on the crease for long. Both the teams failed to take their total over the 200-run mark in any of the four innings as it proved to be quite a low-scoring match. However, Gambhir went on to defend the pitch after the match, remarking that the batters could have used better defensive technique.
De Villiers feels that Gambhir wasn't happy with the team's performance at all and made them know about it through his comments on the Eden pitch.
“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 what we prepared, why didn’t we perform?’” de Villiers said on his YouTube channel.
De Villiers on India's recent Test record at home
He further highlighted how India's dominance on home soil has faded away in recent times. De Villiers believes that the opposing teams have now got a good idea of the conditions and use it to their advantage. This comes after the Men in Blue have lost four out of their last six Tests at home and certainly haven't been at their best ever since Gambhir took over last year in July.
“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. Some concerns for India. They have lost four games there and that is unheard of… What is happening here? Have they become the worse players of spin? I don’t think so. Oppositions are more prepared and understand the conditions," de Villiers stated.
India look to avoid series defeat
Meanwhile, the second and final Test of the series between India and South Africa is set to commence from November 22 at the Barsapara stadium in Guwahati. It will be essential for the Men in Blue to win this encounter in order to avoid a humiliating series defeat at home to the Proteas.