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Spin Woes Exposed as South Africa Stun India in Kolkata

  • By Thetripurapost Desk, Kolkata
  • Nov 17, 2025
  • 554

India’s 30-run defeat to South Africa at Eden Gardens on Sunday has triggered deeper concerns than just the loss of a Test match. Chasing a modest 124, India folded for a shocking 93, handing the Proteas a 1-0 lead in the two-match series and securing their first Test win on Indian soil in 15 years. This is also India’s fourth home Test defeat within a year—a rare slump for a team long considered invincible in their own conditions.

Spin Trouble at the Core of India’s Decline

Data from the past year paints a worrying picture:

  • In six home Tests, spinners accounted for 77 of 111 wickets (69%).

  • India themselves lost 87 wickets, of which 60 fell to spin.

The Kolkata Test followed the same script—12 of India’s 20 dismissals came against spinners, exposing a glaring vulnerability.

While a section of former players blamed the demanding Eden pitch, head coach Gautam Gambhir dismissed such claims outright.

“The pitch wasn’t so difficult that batting wasn’t possible. Our batsmen were technically and mentally below par against spin,” he said, asserting that the team actually got “exactly the pitch we wanted.”

Domestic Red-Ball Neglect Hurting Technique

A recurring criticism is that India’s premier Test batsmen hardly participate in domestic red-ball tournaments like the Ranji Trophy anymore.

  • Earlier generations, including Sachin Tendulkar, regularly returned to domestic cricket to stay sharp.

  • Today, established players often opt out, leading to a decline in match-hardening against quality spin.

Why Are Proven Domestic Players Overlooked?

The debate on selection has resurfaced following India’s collapse.

Despite consistent performances in first-class cricket, players like Sarfaraz Khan and Rajat Patidar have not received sustained backing.

  • Sarfaraz and Patidar were given brief opportunities last season but were dropped quickly.

  • Meanwhile, newcomers like Sai Sudarshan have been retained despite limited red-ball achievements, raising concerns about inconsistency in selection policy.

The central question remains:

Are India’s best spin players being ignored, while the chosen ones aren’t playing enough red-ball cricket to handle spin themselves?

With India’s once-formidable home dominance under threat, the team faces an urgent challenge—rebuild their spin-playing foundation or risk further cracks in their long-standing fortress.