The Indian cricket team has struggled in their ongoing Test series against New Zealand, suffering their first series loss at home in over a decade. However, legendary South African batter AB de Villiers believes there is no need to panic, suggesting that times have changed and other teams are now up to the challenge of winning in India.
In a recent interview, de Villiers acknowledged that the perception of touring teams always finding it difficult in Indian conditions is a thing of the past. While the hosts were once considered unbeatable on their spinning friendly pitches, competitors have improved their skills against spin and strategy on slow wickets.
The former Proteas captain cited Virat Kohli’s examples of scoring centuries in South Africa as proof that exceptional batsmen can thrive in any country. Rather than criticize India, de Villiers praised their players but stated that the gap between teams has shrunk. According to him, if opponents display the right mindset and skills, success is attainable worldwide regardless of home advantage.
In particular, de Villiers name-dropped Kohli when discussing how perceptions of certain conditions have evolved. The star batsman highlighted that even top Indian players aren’t guaranteed to dominate spin everywhere and credited the Black Caps for their adaptability under pressure during the series.
With New Zealand taking an unassailable 2-0 lead, India’s twelve-year undefeated streak at home appears under serious threat. While the defeat has sparked some soul-searching, de Villiers believes strong opponents simply raising their game was the key factor, not flaws within the hosts’ approach or talent. The comments suggest cricketing norms continue changing as different teams penetrate erstwhile fortresses.
