"Woh digest nahi ho sakta hai" - Cheteshwar Pujara blasts Team India after loss to South Africa in IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

Cheteshwar Pujara expressed his disappointment over India's embarrassing 30-run loss to South Africa in the recently concluded Test series opener against South Africa in Kolkata. The veteran Indian batter opined that the team's transitional phase cannot be used as an excuse for the defeat.

India were bundled out for 93 on Day 3 while chasing a fourth innings target of 124. Pujara didn't mince his words while criticizing the home team's performance in the clash.

Speaking on Star Sports after the match, Pujara remarked:

"I don't agree with this. Transition ki wajah se Bharatiya team Bharat mein haare, woh digest nahi ho sakta (The Indian team losing in India because of the transition cannot be digested). "India lost in England and Australia due to the transitional phase, which is still acceptable. But the talent and potential that India has, look at the first-class records of Yashasvi Jaiswal, KL Rahul, Washington Sundar and Shubman Gill. Despite those first-class records, if we lose in India, it means that something is wrong."

The Indian batters went down without a fight in the run chase. Washington Sundar was the only one to cross the 30-run mark, scoring 31 runs off 92 balls. Off-spinner Simon Harmer was the pick of the South African bowlers, finishing with figures of 14-4-21-4 in the essay.

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"India A can win against South Africa" - Cheteshwar Pujara's big claim after IND v SA 2025 1st Test

Cheteshwar Pujara also seemed unimpressed by the pitch used for the Kolkata Test. He suggested that India have a better chance to win if they play on good wickets.

The 37-year-old emphasized that there's no dearth of talent in India, claiming that even the India A team can beat South Africa in a Test match at home. Pujara added in the same video:

"India had a better chance to win this Test if the match had been played on a good wicket. How do you define Test cricket? On which wickets will your percentage to win be higher? That percentage drops on such wickets, and the opposition becomes equal to you. So, play on good wickets because even India A can win against South Africa; that is the amount of talent India has."

The Shubman Gill-led side will look to bounce back by coming up with an improved performance in the second and final Test against South Africa. The match will be played at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, from Saturday, November 22.

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Edited by Aditya Suketu Desai