According to Sourav Ganguly, the pitch at Eden Gardens was not ideal for a Test match.
After India’s poor defeat in the first Test against South Africa, questions have been raised about the turning wicket at Eden Gardens and the decisions made by the Indian team management. Former India captain and former BCCI president Sourav Ganguly believes the surface was not suitable for Test cricket. He also advised head coach Gautam Gambhir to trust his fast bowlers more.
India tried to trap South Africa by preparing a spin-friendly pitch in Kolkata. They played four spinners in the XI. The Proteas, however, had only two specialist spinners — and one of them, Simon Harmer, dismantled India with eight wickets.
South Africa scored 159 in the first innings, to which India replied with 189. After bowling South Africa out for 153 in the second innings, India collapsed for just 93 while chasing only 124. The visitors sealed a 30-run victory inside three days.
After the match, India coach Gambhir said this was exactly the kind of wicket they wanted. In a conversation with India Today, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly raised concerns about the pitch:
“There is no room for debate. This was not a good pitch for Test cricket. Unfortunately, India lost. But even then, they should have chased 120 runs. Gambhir said that they wanted this kind of pitch and that they themselves instructed the curator. Yes, that’s true; instructions were given. I’m repeating what I said earlier. I really like Gautam; he did well for India in England, in ODIs, and in T20 cricket. He will continue his role, but we must play on good pitches.”
India fielded fast bowlers Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj in this match. Sourav believes Mohammed Shami should also have been included. Even after performing well in the Ranji Trophy, Shami was not selected for the two-match series, which sparked plenty of discussion. His last Test appearance was in June 2023, in the ICC World Test Championship final against Australia at The Oval.
Sourav advised adding the 35-year-old swing bowler back into the squad:
“He (Gambhir) must trust Bumrah, Siraj, and Shami. You have to win Test matches in five days, not in three.”
The second and final Test will begin next Saturday in Guwahati.
