India suffered their fourth defeat in their last six Test matches on home soil as they went down by 30 runs in the first match of the two-game red-ball series against reigning World Test Championship winners South Africa.
India provided a rank-turner pitch at the iconic Eden Gardens in Kolkata for the first Test match but their move backfired as South African bowlers got the job done for their team.
The Test match ended in less than three days as India were bowled out for just 93 runs in the fourth innings of the game.
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This was India's fourth home Test loss in their last six outings, if we calculate from their home series loss against New Zealand last year. In between, India have won only the two-match series against West Indies last month.
While Gautam Gambhir's success as head coach in white-ball cricket is unbelievable - having won the Champions Trophy and the Asia Cup title - when it comes to red-ball his record is dismal. Under his tutelage, India have lost series against Australia and New Zealand and have drawn in England, while beating Bangladesh and West Indies.
The loss at Eden Gardens now means that India cannot win the series against the world champions and can only hope to draw level.
After the defeat, fans took to social media to slam Gambhir and his coaching in the Test format as many of them hailed former coach Ravi Shastri for his contribution to Indian cricket, especially in Tests.
READ: How can India qualify for the WTC final 2027?
Are India missing coach Ravi Shastri? Fans slam Gautam Gambhir after defeat against SA
History will be kinder to Captain Virat Kohli and Coach Ravi Shastri. BCCI ruined their hardwork and legacy. BCCI deserve to get humbled, Gambhir needs to get humiliated. The downfall of Indian Test Cricket started when they made Virat Kohli quit test captaincy.
— Suprvirat (@Mostlykohli) November 16, 2025
It was Virat Kohli's Captaincy & Ravi Shastri's Coaching who made India’s home dominance invincible.
— 𝚅𝚊𝚛𝚞𝚗¹⁸ (@varunx18) November 16, 2025
Then came a politician from Delhi with his puppy, and completely ruined the legacy, the kingdom Kohli & Shastri built for years.
Never forget never forgive how this politician… pic.twitter.com/eM7zAD3dUT
2015-2021 was the golden era of India Test Cricket.❤️
— Jakku (@im_jakku56) November 16, 2025
Salute to Virat Kohli and coach Ravi Shastri.@imVkohli @BCCI #INDvSA pic.twitter.com/d846nMACfm
Gautam Gambhir will finally realise what Ravi Shastri has achieved!! Pic.twitter.com/tuHVxSReeA
— Pari (@BluntIndianGal) November 16, 2025
Home tests lost under Ravi Shastri: 1
— Sameer Allana (@HitmanCricket) November 16, 2025
Home tests lost under Anil Kumble: 1
Home tests lost under Rahul Dravid: 2
Home tests lost under Gautam Gambhir: 4
MORE: WATCH: Bumrah catches up with Bavuma at the end of 1st Test
What next for the Indian cricket team?
The Indian team will now aim to bounce back and level the series as the two teams lock horns in Guwahati next, with the second Test starting on November 22.
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