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India's dreadful run in Tests at home under head coach Gautam Gambhir continued as the hosts suffered a crushing 30-run defeat in the first Test against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday. India lost their first Test match against South Africa at home in 15 years after the Proteas successfully defended the target of 124 runs in the hosts' second innings on Day 3.
India, who were without the services of their injured captain Shubman Gill in the second innings, got bowled out for a paltry 93 runs in the 124-run chase. India's batting line-up collapsed under pressure as South Africa spinners dominated the proceedings. Off-spinner Simon Harmer picked up a four-wicket haul, while Keshav Maharaj and Aiden Markram picked up three wickets between them to power South Africa to a historic win.
It was India's fourth home defeat in eight Test matches under head coach Gambhir. While the team has performed exceptionally well under the former India opener in white-ball cricket, India have struggled massively in Tests. However, it is India's shambolic Test record at home under Gambhir that has raised eyebrows.
In their last six Test matches at home, India have lost four. India's four wins have come against the likes of Bangladesh and West Indies. The hosts beat Bangladesh 2-0 at home last year, before getting whitewashed 3-0 by New Zealand. India bounced back with a 2-0 series win in their first home series against West Indies under new captain Shubman Gill earlier this year.
However, a defeat against South Africa in Kolkata further exposed their woes in home conditions. It was India's fourth defeat in the last six Tests at home, including the 3-0 whitewash at the hands of the Kiwis. Shockingly, India have lost more home Tests under Gambhir than they did under former head coaches Ravi Shastri and Anil Kumble combined.
During Anil Kumble's stint as head coach, India lost only one Test match at home - against Australia in Pune in 2017. Meanwhile, under Shastri, the hosts' only defeat came against England in Chennai in February 2021. Virat Kohli lost only these two Test matches as captain at home before quitting captaincy in 2021.
Under their previous head coach, Rahul Dravid, India lost only two Tests at home. Overall, India lost only four Test matches under Kumble, Shastri and Dravid, as many as Gambhir has already lost since he took over as India's head coach last year. In just 8 Tests, Gambhir has lost 4 Tests, which India lost in six years from 2017 to 2024.
India were a dominant force at home under Kohli's captaincy during Ravi Shastri's tenure. While India became the first Asian team to win a Test series in Australia in 2018, they enjoyed a near-flawless track record at home. India's dominance continued under Dravid as they didn't lose a single Test series at home from 2012 to September 2024.
However, India's 12-year-long unbeaten streak ended after their humiliating 3-0 loss against New Zealand at home under Gambhir last year. The defeat marked an end to India's streak of 18 consecutive Test series victories at home, an incredible run that started in 2012. It also marked New Zealand's first-ever Test series victory in India.
The latest defeat against South Africa in Kolkata has intensified pressure on Gambhir, who is facing the heat amid India's disastrous home run in the longest format. India will have to bounce back strongly in the second Test in Guwahati and clinch a much-needed victory to avoid a second home series defeat under the former India opener.
A defeat in the ongoing Test series against South Africa might prove decisive for Gambhir's coaching career, as he has already been facing intense scrutiny over the team's poor show at home Test matches and his comments defending the controversial pitch at the Eden Gardens, calling it in line with India's demands.
