NEW DELHI, Nov 7: India were under fire from local media Wednesday for handing the first Test to South Africa “on a platter”.

“Indians present Test on a platter to Pollock’s men,” said a banner headline in The Hindu after South Africa won the first Test in Bloemfontein by nine wickets Tuesday.

The Times of India said: “India make it easy for Pollock.”

India scored 379 in their first innings but were dismissed for 237 in the second as South African captain Shaun Pollock captured six for 56 to complete his first 10-wicket haul in Tests.

“A match that many branded as a great advertisement for Test cricket before the start of the fourth day, ended in a blaze of embarrassment for the Indians,” said The Hindustan Times under the headline, “Pollock shows lost Indians the way to doom.”

The paper pointed out that the team had lasted a full day of batting only twice in their last 10 away Tests. “All those who have followed India’s fortunes overseas are familiar with three words: despair, dejection and gloom,” it said.

The Indian Express blamed the defeat on India’s poor bowling and on the batsmen’s inability to deal with the moving ball on pacy wickets.

“India lost the Test because their bowling and fielding were atrocious... the batting didn’t rise to the occasion either,” said the paper under the headline, “Ship sinks after Indians fail to drop anchor.”

India’s skipper Saurav Ganguly was criticised for his batting failure after he fell fending rising deliveries in both innings.

“The team skipper doesn’t know where his next Test run is coming from,” said The Indian Express.

The second match of the three-Test series starts in Port Elizabeth Nov 16.—Reuters