Gambhir defends pitch after India falter in the chase

As India slipped to their first home defeat to South Africa in 15 years and their first loss at Eden Gardens in 13 years, head coach Gautam Gambhir insisted it wasn't all on the tricky conditions at the venue. The first Test saw a dramatic batting collapse from India on Day 3, allowing South Africa to seal a 30-run victory, their first win on Indian soil since 2010.

“This is exactly the pitch we were looking for. This is exactly the pitch,” said Gambhir.

“And I feel that the curator was very, very helpful. And this is exactly what we wanted. And this is exactly what we got. When you don't play well, this is what happens.”

India were in the driver’s seat at the end of Day 2, having South Africa at 93/7 with the Proteas leading by only 63 runs. However, the partnership between Temba Bavuma (55) and Corbin Bosch (25) turned the tide early on Day 3 as South Africa added another 60 crucial runs to the target. With a batter down, India struggled in the chase and eventually fell short by 30 runs as the Proteas' bowling unit took advantage of the tricky conditions.

“The point is that you should be able to know how to play turn. And this is what we asked for, and this is what we got. I thought the curator was very supportive," said Gambhir on the pitch at Eden Gardens.

“I still believe that irrespective of how the wicket was, 123 (124) was chaseable. And I felt that if you are willing to put your head down and if you have a solid defence, if you have the temperament, you can definitely score runs. Yes, it might not be a wicket that is going to be very flamboyant, where you can play those big shots."

"But if you are willing to put your head down, definitely it's a wicket where you can score."

Chasing 124, India failed to absorb the pressure and put together meaningful partnerships. A 32-run stand between Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar was the highest partnership in the second innings for India, and Gambhir believes this inability to build partnerships was the key factor in India ending up on the losing side in Kolkata.

"We always felt that if we could get those partnerships, if we could have a 50-run partnership or a 40-run partnership, we will be in the game. And we were at one stage having that kind of a partnership as well."

"When Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar were batting, and then when Washington and Ravindra Jadeja were batting. So it's about, whether from 30 if you can get to that 60 runs partnership, that is where the game is."

“It boils down to whether we have the ability at that time to absorb the pressure and keep breaking those big targets into those small targets,"

The focus now shifts quickly to the second Test in Guwahati, beginning on November 22. India’s major concern heading into the match will be the availability of skipper Shubman Gill, who was forced to leave the field on Day 2 due to a neck injury.

“He's still being assessed. So, let's see. The physios will take a call today evening and we'll take a call tomorrow.”