NEW DELHI: After India failed to chase a modest target of 124 against South Africa on a turning Eden Gardens pitch, head coach Gautam Gambhir refused to blame the surface for his team's batting collapse.

He also pointed out that the majority of wickets in the match were taken by pacers, stressing that questions about the pitch's nature were unwarranted.

Home dominance crumbling? India’s ability to exploit spin falters further as South Africa rise in Kolkata

"I felt 124 was very much chaseable. You need the right temperament to score runs, this is what happens when you don't play well. This is the pitch we asked for and this is what we got. You should know how to play spin. The majority of wickets were taken by pacers," Gambhir said while addressing the press conference.

Chasing 124, India lacked the composure and technique displayed earlier by Temba Bavuma, and were bowled out for 93 in 35 overs. Shubman Gill, sidelined with a neck injury, was unavailable to bat on Day 3.

It was India's fourth loss at home in the last six Tests including the 0-3 debacle against New Zealand on turning tracks last year. The loss has reignited the debate on Indian batters' ability on turning tracks.

Gambhir, reflecting on the defeat, emphasised that India's batting lineup lacked experience and is still learning to handle prolonged periods of pressure.

"If you look from top to bottom, if you talk about the batting unit, there is not much experience," he said. He added that Test cricket demands more than technical skill: "More than the skill, in Test cricket there is not only a need for skill, there is also a need for mental toughness... if you are not able to absorb pressure… things start getting easier once you see off that first 10-15 minutes."
He noted that the players who batted patiently were the only ones able to put runs on the board in this match. "The people who defended well, whether it's KL Rahul, Temba Bavuma, or Washington Sundar, everyone made runs,” Gambhir said.