India defend home series after losing 1st test: India had suffered a shameful defeat in the first match of the ongoing 2-match Test series between India and South Africa. The defeat of the Kolkata Test showed that Team India is no longer as strong at home as it used to be. The impenetrable fort of the Indian team at its home ground has now collapsed. Last year, under the coaching of Gautam Gambhir, Team India had to face a clean sweep at home against New Zealand. While chasing the target of 124 runs in the Kolkata Test, the Indian team collapsed for just 93 runs. Now the question in the minds of all Indian fans is whether India can make a comeback in this series?

In the last five decades, there have been seven home Test series where India lost its first match. In six of these, Team India avoided losing the series, won five series and drew one. Only once in 2024 did the Indian team face defeat in the series after losing the first match against New Zealand.

How many times was the series successful in saving

England 1972–73: India was trailing 0-1 in this series after the defeat in Delhi. After this, Team India won against England in Kolkata and Chennai and took a lead of 2-1 and the last two tests were drawn.

Australia 2001: After losing the series by 10 wickets in Mumbai, India won thrillers in Kolkata and Chennai to win the home series 2–1.

South Africa 2009–10: The Indian team had to face an innings defeat in the first Test in Nagpur. In the next match, India defeated South Africa in Kolkata and drew the series 1-1.

Australia 2016–17: In the first Test played in Pune, India had to face a defeat of 333 runs. After this, Team India won the series 2-1 by winning in Bengaluru and Dharamsala.

England 2020-21: In this series, India had to face defeat by 227 runs in the Chennai Test. After this, Team India won the series 3-1 with three consecutive wins.

England 2023-24: In this series, after the defeat in Hyderabad, they won in Vizag, Rajkot, Ranchi and Dharamshala and won the series 4-1. For the first time in 112 years, a team won a 5-match Test series 4-1, even after losing the first match.

Since 1972, India has won the series five times and converted it into a draw once after losing the series 0-1 at home. The only exception is the 3-0 clean sweep against New Zealand in 2024.

India Vs South Africa 2nd Test Match: South Africa has suffered a big setback before the Guwahati Test. The two key players who won the first Test in Kolkata, off-spinner Simon Harmer and all-rounder Marco Johnson, have been hospitalized due to injuries. This news is a matter of concern for the visiting team. This happened at a time when the visiting team wants to win the series by winning the second and final Test starting from November 22.

Kolkata test hero injured

Harmer and Johnson played important roles in the historic 30-run win against India at Eden Gardens, Kolkata. For which Harmer was chosen man of the match. Harmer had devastated India’s batting by taking a total of 8 wickets in the first test.

At the same time, Johnson also made an important contribution by taking 3 wickets in the first innings and 2 wickets in the second innings. Thanks to the brilliant bowling of these two, South Africa won the Test match on Indian soil after 15 years.

Tension increased for the visiting team

According to reports, Harmer suffered a shoulder injury, while Johnson is suffering from a minor niggle. Both players were taken for medical examination to Woodlands Hospital in Kolkata, where Indian captain Shubman Gill was also treated. However, it is not yet clear how serious his injury is and whether he will be able to play in the Guwahati Test or not. The possible absence of these two players can create a big problem for South Africa, especially the absence of an influential spinner like Harmer can prove to be a big loss against a strong batting team like India.

Opportunity for Team India

This could be an opportunity for India to make a comeback in the Team India series. The Indian team will be desperate to recover from the defeat in the first Test against South Africa and level the series at 1-1 and the injury to two key players of South Africa can prove to be a big advantage for India.