Sun Nov 16 09:00:00 UTC 2025: India’s Batting Woes Continue Under Gambhir as South Africa Test Looms
Kolkata, India – Concerns are mounting over India’s batting performance under new head coach Gautam Gambhir after the team was bowled out for a paltry 189 in their first innings against South Africa at Eden Gardens. This marks the fourth time in their last six home Tests that India has failed to cross the 200-run mark.
Since Gambhir’s appointment in July 2024, India has played seven home Tests. While victories were secured against Bangladesh and a struggling West Indies side, the New Zealand series highlighted underlying batting vulnerabilities. The ongoing match against South Africa is the sixth consecutive Test since the New Zealand series.
Adding to the woes, KL Rahul’s score of 39 is the lowest highest individual score in the first two innings of any men’s Test match since the 2010 Durban Test.
Gambhir is now the first coach since John Wright in the early 2000s to see his team score below 200 in four innings across back-to-back seasons.
Despite the batting struggles, India managed a 30-run first-innings lead, which could prove crucial on a turning and bouncing Kolkata wicket. South Africa was 18/1 at Tea on Day 2, trailing by 12 runs.
While Jasprit Bumrah bowled exceptionally well, the pressure is on the Indian batting lineup to turn things around and support the bowlers if they want to secure a victory against the Proteas.
First Piper 