Follow UsIt was yet another raging turner with variable bounce, and team India succumbed to defeat once again on a spin-friendly surface as they got bowled out for 93 at Eden Gardens and endured a 30-run defeat in the first Test of the two-match series against South Africa on November 16 (Sunday).
Even before the game ended, the surface at the Eden Gardens came under the scanner for two reasons. For one, many felt that the variable bounce on the surface was too much, and thus the pitch got slammed by former cricketers and experts.
Secondly, there was a consensus that India were shooting themselves in the foot by preparing surfaces which neutralise their home advantage as they tend to turn batting into a lottery.
As it turned out, the batters did end up struggling badly, with Simon Harmer & Co. running through the Indian batting line-up with ease to secure a famous win.
However, after the game, head coach Gautam Gambhir defended the surface and insisted that India got the ‘exact’ pitch they were looking for.
“This is exactly the pitch we wanted, if we don't play well, this is what will happen. 124 was chaseable,” Gambhir said after the loss.
The team India head coach stated that the batters failed on a surface that had ‘no demons’ in it. He also denied the claim that the surface was a raging turner, pointing to the fact that plenty of wickets were taken by the seamers.
“There were no demons in this wicket. It wasn't unplayable. If we keep talking about the wicket, the majority of the wickets were by the seamers. This was a pitch where your technique, mental toughness and temperament was tested,” he said.
Meanwhile, vice-captain Rishabh Pant said that 124 was a very chaseable target despite the tricky nature of the surface.
“A game like this, you can't dwell into it too much. We should've been able to chase this score,” Pant said.
“The pressure built on us in the second innings and we weren't able to capitalise. There was help on the wicket, a score like 120 can be tricky, but as a team we should be able to soak in the pressure and capitalise.”
The second Test will be played in Guwahati from November 22. South Africa have taken an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series and will be aiming to win their first Test series in India in 25 years.