"Who is really effective outside of Bumrah and Siraj?" - Robin Uthappa questions Team India's composition after defeat in IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

Former batter Robin Uthappa questioned Team India's composition after the defeat against South Africa in the first Test. The Proteas beat the hosts by 30 runs at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata.

He reckoned that visiting teams were more smarter and well prepared while touring India at present than before. Robin Uthappa believed that the team needed to be realistic and set goals for the near future, given they are currently in transition.

Talking about one aspect of the team composition, he highlighted that they lacked a proper third pacer beyond Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. India have tried out Prasidh Krishna and Akash Deep among others, but are yet to find a set third pacer.

"Visiting teams play lesser cricket than India and have far more time for preparation. There is too much cricket happening. You are going with one size fits all and trying to produce results. There needs to be a sense of realism about the goal for the next two years. Yes, you want to get to the WTC final, but is this team ready to get there? Who is really effective outside of Bumrah and Siraj? We are missing a third pacer. They are trying out a bunch of guys. In all honesty, we don't have a confirmed third fast bowler," he said on his YouTube channel.

Reflecting on the venues for the South Africa Tests, Robin Uthappa also reckoned that not having specific Test centres has been hurting the Indian team, taking the home advantage away. He highlighted how former captain Virat Kohli had also suggested the same during his tenure as Test skipper.

"Spinners are not going to be as effective abroad and are going to be fillers. India don't have Test centres as a country. You are randomly playing Tests everywhere and trying to produce results in your favor. That takes away from the larger goal. If you have Test centres, you can curate home advantage based on the visiting team. India are not doing that. Virat spoke of this when he also captained and India are missing home advantage by playing at random venues," Robin Uthappa explained.

The second Test is set to be played in Guwahati from November 22. Notably, Team India have never played a Test at the venue before and would therefore be uncertain of the exact conditions to expect despite it being a 'home' Test.

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"There's not a lot separating the top four-five teams," reckons Robin Uthappa

Talking about the top four or five teams across the globe in Test cricket at present, Robin Uthappa reckoned that there was not much that differentiated these teams. He included India, Australia, England, New Zealand, and South Africa in this list.

"There's not a lot separating the top four-five teams in Test cricket at the moment. All of them are filling up slots and the team that feels like they have most of their pieces in place is South Africa. In the Ashes, I think Australia start from behind and England have the upper hand. England's batting is stronger, but they might suffer in the bowling," he said.

Notably, South Africa are the current World Test Championship (WTC) champions, having defeated Australia in the final of the 2023-25 cycle. India finished third, while New Zealand were fourth, followed by England in fifth position.