India, Nov. 18 -- There is more to home advantage than just the pitch. But by asking for specific kinds of wickets, coach Gautam Gambhir and the India team management have suffered the ignominy of trying to set a trap for the opposition, and then falling into it themselves. The defeat against South Africa at Eden Gardens is India's fourth loss in six home Tests - an indication of how poorly India, under Gambhir, have played their cards. The last four losses before the most recent downturn spanned seven years (February 2017 to January 2024). Now, we have seen four in 13 months.

Curators know local conditions best, and if left alone, they will usually try to produce a wicket that promises good cricket. But when you start asking them to mix...