Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) chief Sourav Ganguly has confirmed that the Indian team hasn’t requested for a rank-turner for the upcoming Test against South Africa, to be played between November
14-19. The Eden Gardens is expected to offer a ‘very good’ pitch with turn to offer from the third day.
Home sides have the right to ask for pitches that suit their needs. England, for example, have asked for and gotten flat tracks since Brendon McCullum took over the team. But in India, this practice became tricky when the team lost 3-0 to New Zealand in 2024, the first home whitewash in history.
That Test series began on a greenish track at Bengaluru where New Zealand’s bowlers found joy but got better for spin as the series progressed. However, it backfired on India as their more experienced spinners’ skills were matched by the Kiwis’ with the help from the wickets and the home batters couldn’t cope with it.
“Well, they haven’t asked for it (rank turner) yet. So, I won’t be able to answer the question. It looks like a very good one,” Ganguly was quoted as saying by PTI. “Thirty-four thousand priced tickets have been sold out as we expect a good turnout.”
This is the first Test the Eden Gardens is hosting since 2019. The iconic venue also used to be a spin haven but in recent years, it has become more even in recent years.
CAB curator Sujan Mukherjee said that India head coach Gautam Gambhir appeared satisfied after inspecting the wicket. According to Mukherjee, when Gambhir inquired about when the surface might start assisting spinners, he was informed that turn was likely to come into play from the third day onward.
“It’s going to be a good sporting wicket with help for both batters and bowlers. There will be assistance on offer for the spinners as well, and that can happen early as well,” Mukherjee said.
