The surface at Eden Gardens once again became the centre of conversation, overshadowing the cricket on display during the first India–South Africa Test. With the match racing towards an early finish by the second evening, the pitch a lot of criticism from former and current cricketers, turning the focus away from the contest itself.
South Africa were blown away for 159 in their first innings, and India managed only a slender 30-run lead in reply. By Stumps on Day 2, the visitors were struggling at 93 for 7, and their their advantage was a minor 63-run lead. Pacers controlled the first session of the Test, while spinners took control afterwards, sharing 12 of the 17 wickets to fall across two innings as the pitch continued to offer unpredictable bounce and exaggerated turn. Harbhajan Singh was among those who sharply expressed his displeasure with the surface. Writing on X, the former India off-spinner said the match had made the longest format unrecognisable. “Test cricket india vs South Africa the game almost over on 2nd day isn’t finished yet . What a mockery of test cricket #RIPTESTCRICKET,” Harbhajan posted.
Harbhajan Singh on X
Michael Vaughan joined the discussion with a blunt assessment, calling it an “Awful pitch in Kolkata … #INDvSA.” Australian former captain Aaron Finch also weighed in, but with a slightly different perspective. He invited his followers to share their views on the turning track, adding that he enjoys the challenge posed by such surfaces.
“What are your thoughts on the type of wicket we are seeing in kolkata? I love seeing fielders crowding the bat and the ball spinning big, makes for great viewing,” Finch wrote. Ravichandran Ashwin responded by defending the nature of the pitch and pointing instead to batting technique. He highlighted Temba Bavuma’s patient unbeaten stay as an example.
Poll
Do you think the pitch at Eden Gardens was suitable for Test cricket?
“Hey Finchy, Bavuma clearly showed that this pitch was manageable with his sound defensive technique… not picking length as a batter is recipe for disaster,” Ashwin said. As the Test moves to its final phase, the debate over the surface is likely to continue, with the spotlight firmly fixed on how conditions shaped the match rather than the cricket alone.
