How does a team that bullies sides at home suddenly freeze while chasing 124 at Eden Gardens? That’s the question India will carry like excess luggage as they fly to Guwahati for the second Test. On paper, 124 is a Sunday warm-up jog. In reality, it turned into a steep Himalayan trek without oxygen.
This wasn’t just another defeat. This was the second time India failed to chase under 150 at home, an unwanted stat that tastes worse than lukewarm stadium tea. And coming off a smooth 2-0 win over the West Indies, nobody expected the World Test Champions to punk India in Kolkata. To understand why Kolkata wasn’t a one-off collapse but part of a long-running pattern, we need to revisit the scorebooks India hoped everyone would forget.
Pressure Peaks When Targets Shrink
When India is chasing low totals such as 193 at Lord’s (in 2025) or 176 at Galle (in 2015), there exists an identifiable commonality in their losses. While Jadeja scored 61 solidly and patiently at Lord’s, India were never really in control. Pressure from England’s bowling unit resulted in Indian batsmen losing their wickets and becoming increasingly nervous as the match progressed. The ‘smaller the chase, the more tense the dressing room’ is a well-known phenomenon of cricket, where a team feels that the chase should be relatively easy; however, before you know it, one wicket becomes three before the team even has time to react.
Old Ghosts Return in Home Conditions
The 2024 Wankhede loss to New Zealand, chasing 147 but bowled out for 121, still haunts Indian fans. The top order vanished at 28/4. Home conditions couldn’t save them, nor could familiarity with the pitch. When the surface slowed and the ball gripped, India’s technique looked more confused than the pitch map on TV. Kolkata in 2025 felt like a sequel nobody wanted.
South Africa’s Kolkata Blueprint Worked Perfectly
At Eden Gardens, India went from “easy 124” to “impossible 124” in 10 balls. Both openers gone for 1/2 is the kind of start that invites disaster. Washington Sundar and Axar Patel fought, yes, but chases are rarely rescued by lower-middle-order grit alone. South Africa used discipline over magic tight lines, controlled lengths, and zero freebies. Bavuma’s unbeaten 55 earlier meant the pressure transferred fully onto India’s shoulders.
History Shows India Fixes This — Eventually
India has faced similar chasing meltdowns before the 2006 Johannesburg failure (chasing 160) and the infamous 2010 Mohali scare. Yet each era eventually found solutions: Dravid’s calm, Kohli’s aggression, Pujara’s patience. The current side needs to identify its anchor, someone who can turn 124 into a routine jog instead of a panic marathon. Other top teams, Australia in 2021, Brisbane, England in 2019, Leeds have built their culture around winning tight chases. India must do the same.
India’s loss in Kolkata isn’t just a dropped match; it’s a flashing red signal before the Guwahati Test. Small chases demand clear minds and tough stomachs. Right now, India looks like a side carrying psychological baggage from past collapses.
The talent is there. The bowling is top-tier. But until the top order treats small targets like opportunities, not traps, India will remain vulnerable in matches where the finish line is closest.
Guwahati won’t just be about leveling the series. It will be about proving that Kolkata was a bruise, not a fracture.
Key Takeaway
India doesn’t lose small chases because of skill; they lose them because of mindset.
FAQs
- Why does India struggle with low chases?
Because small targets increase pressure, tighten technique, and amplify early wickets.
- What went wrong in the Kolkata Test?
Early collapse at 1/2, lack of partnerships, and disciplined South African bowling.
- How can India bounce back in Guwahati?
Stronger intent from the top order, clearer mindset, and avoiding over-defensive batting early.
Disclaimer: This blog post reflects the author’s personal insights and analysis. Readers are encouraged to consider the perspectives shared and draw their own conclusions.
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