IND vs SA: The opening Test between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens has spiralled into a full-blown pitch controversy after an unpredictable surface produced one of the most bowler-dominated
matches seen in recent years.
The match, which ended with India suffering a 30-run defeat while chasing just 124, has drawn heavy criticism from former players, fans, and analysts. But amid the mounting backlash, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly has firmly defended the curator and instead pointed fingers at India's team management.
From the very first session, the pitch displayed extreme behaviour-uneven bounce, sharp turn, and erratic seam movement-making run-scoring a massive challenge for both teams. Across the first three innings, none of the sides managed to reach 200, with 24 wickets tumbling before the final hour of Day 2. The surface came under heavy fire online, especially after Michael Vaughan labelled it "an awful pitch," while Harbhajan Singh slammed the conditions by saying, "RIP Test cricket. "
The ball's unpredictability was evident immediately, often leaping off a good length or skidding dangerously low without warning. As criticism poured in, Ganguly stepped forward even before the match concluded, making it clear that the fault did not lie with curator Sujan Mukherjee. Instead, he revealed that the Indian think-tank had specifically asked for such a surface. "The pitch is what the Indian camp wanted. This is what happens when you don't water the pitch for four days. Curator Sujan Mukherjee can't be blamed," Ganguly told News18 Bangla.
South Africa were bowled out for 159 in their first innings, with Jasprit Bumrah delivering a superb five-wicket haul. India replied with 189, thanks to KL Rahul's gritty 39. Temba Bavuma's fighting fifty helped South Africa post 153 in the third innings, leaving India with a tricky target of 124. What could have been a modest chase turned into a collapse, with the Gill-led side dismissed for 93.
Adding to the confusion, the curator had previously claimed no request had been made for a rank turner, while bowling coach Morne Morkel admitted the team did not expect the pitch to deteriorate this quickly. The defeat has now intensified scrutiny on India's preparation and decision-making ahead of the second Test.
