"Our skill has downgraded" - Former Indian seamer's massive claim after pitch debacle in IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

Former India all-rounder Irfan Pathan passed a scathing remark after the Men in Blue's 30-run defeat to South Africa in the first Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata on Sunday, November 16. Pathan suggested that the hosts must prepare traditional pitches instead of rank turners, given their batters' skill level has gone down.

Needing 124 in the fourth innings, India crumbled to 93 all out as their batters struggled for momentum. Although they had South Africa at 93/7 at the start of Day 3 with a lead of only 63, the tourists managed to drag it to 123. Off-spinner Simon Harmer starred for South Africa with four wickets each in both innings, helping their side to a 1-0 series lead.

Speaking in the latest video on his YouTube channel, Pathan argued that India register wins in away series even on seaming tracks and similarly excessively spinning decks were bringing visiting teams more into play. He said:

"There have been statements coming out that India didn’t request for such pitches but it came out a few days later that the Indian team did ask for them. It’s contradictory. But they have to play on whatever the pitch is. When we tour, we have such good options of fast bowlers that India perform better and sometimes their batters struggle. We get a chance to win. Similarly, if there is plenty of help on pitches in India, opposition bowlers will come into play because our skill has downgraded. In my opinion, it’s better to play on tracks that turn on days fourth and fifth instead of those that go up and down so early."

Pathan also highlighted that the hosts needed to be a lot more proactive during the run-chase as batters would be dismissed, sooner or later, on such pitches. He added:

"There was a time we were experts in playing spin but now it has changed. Also, the number of white-ball games have increased, so you play with hard hands there. So, the ability to play spin has reduced. If the approach becomes subdued instead of scoring, then it gets batters into trouble. There was pressure as Shubman Gill wasn’t going to bat and South Africa only needed nine wickets but the approach should have been better. If you get over defensive even in Test matches, one or the other deliveries will have your name on it."

Washington Sundar was the only top-order batter who showed resistance, facing 92 deliveries for his 31 runs. Axar Patel tried his best towards the end but the Proteas had enough runs in the bank to down the opposition.

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"We saw what Mitchell Santner did" - Irfan Pathan recalls India's 3-0 defeat to New Zealand

Irfan Pathan. (Image Credits: Getty)

Pathan went on to claim that excessively turning tracks were even making opposition's part-time bowlers effective, adding:

"Whenever we have played on such pitches in India, we are giving opportunities to the opposition bowlers. We saw against New Zealand, Michael Clarke had also bowled well in 2004. Despite being a specialist batter, he made an impact as a bowler. We saw what Mitchell Santner did and Indian batters were found wanting against Harmer too. On such pitches, the bowlers with 70-80% skill level rises to 100%. Both Maharaj and Harmer are experienced, they have over 1500 wickets in first-class cricket. So, they know what to do. Previously, overseas teams used to have two spinners – one specialist and the other a decent one. Whether it’s England or Australia, it has been the same case."

He observed how Harmer and Keshav Maharaj kept their pace high to generate more spin from the wicket, continuing:

"But now visiting teams are using finger spinners in India. They come with a strategy of bowling into the pitch and hope to get as much purchase out of it. Both Harmer and Maharaj bowled with high pace, getting them more purchase out of the pitch. The trajectory is also such that it’s not easy to play big shots. So, touring sides are well prepared and try to make use of reverse swing too. So, you see pressure from both sides getting created, like Harmer and Maharaj did. Even bowlers like Aiden Markram and Glenn Phillips, who are batters, come into the game. If we are playing on such pitches, the skill level needs to be higher or it's better to not dish out such tracks."

The home side will want to level the series in the second Test against South Africa, beginning on November 22, in Guwahati.

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Edited by Sankalp Srivastava