AB de Villiers didn’t hold back while commenting on Team India’s coach Gautam Gambhir after the Kolkata Test. South Africa clinched a 30-run victory to take a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.

South Africa got off to a shaky start with 159 in the first innings but managed to contain India to 189. A second-innings total of 153 left the hosts chasing just 124. India’s batting collapsed for 93, handing the visitors victory in only two and a half days.

After the team’s disappointing performance, Gautam Gambhir said that they had given instructions for the pitch. He added that the batters lacked the technical ability and focus to capitalise on the conditions. Responding to those comments, de Villiers suggested that Gautam Gambhir is directing criticism toward his own players.

“Before I could blink, the Test match was finished. That was exactly the type of wicket India was hoping for, according to Gambhir, and his remarks were interesting. Perhaps he is taking a dig at the players. ‘We prepared for this, so why didn’t we deliver?’ There’s been a noticeable pattern like this developing over the last three to five years,” he said on his YouTube channel.

“I expected the pitch to be flat, but then things started to happen. India missed the chance to turn that 189 into something around 250 or more, and had they done that, they would’ve won the match. In the end, it came down to small margins,” he added.

The ex-cricketer also lauded South Africa’s captain, Temba Bavuma, for his unbeaten 55 in the second innings. He was the sole batter from either side to score a half-century in the Test match.

“It seemed like the match was finished for South Africa, but Bavuma produced the innings that turned it around. We saw him travel to India early to prepare for this series, and not many players are willing to play for the A team. I’m really proud of the way he went there and worked hard. That preparation proved vital. Even the small mistake from him could have handed the game to India.”

At stumps on day two, the visitors were struggling at 93/7. However, Bavuma’s calm and composed 55 not out helped them reach 153, putting them back in the game.