Former Australian cricketer Brad Haddin stated that India's reliance on rank turners is backfiring for the second time under Gautam Gambhir. India produced a disappointing performance in the first Test at Eden Gardens, suffering a 30-run defeat against South Africa on Sunday, November 16.
The loss triggered widespread criticism of Gambhir's strategic approach and the tendency to leave too much to chance on highly unpredictable pitches. Defending India's decision and request to play on such a surface, Gambhir lamented the poor batting of his side as the solitary reason behind the defeat.
India had faced an almost identical situation last year when they failed to chase a 147-run target against New Zealand in Mumbai, leading to an unprecedented 0-3 series whitewash at home, the first in their cricketing history.