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The Eden Gardens in Kolkata has sported a rather tricky surface that has left both India and South Africa flummoxed in the first Test of the two-match series. The Men in Blue skittled out the visitors for 159 in the first innings, but met with a similar fate on Day 2 after being bundled out for 189, claiming a slender lead in the process.
The pitch curator, Sujan Mukherjee, had promised a sporting surface with spin only coming into play in the latter stages of the contest. India, however, sent in a different message by fielding four spinners in their playing XI, for the first time since 2012.
South African batters were immediately troubled by the erratic bounce, particularly from Jasprit Bumrah, who bagged a five-wicket haul. Meanwhile, India looked largely sluggish throughout the innings, with no batter looking quite well-settled despite spending time at the crease.
Spin has already had a massive say in the contest as Simon Harmer picked up four wickets, while Axar Patel has taken the new ball from one end in the second innings for India.
The pitch has started to act up with Ryan Rickelton being struck on his ribs off a Jasprit Bumrah delivery early into the second innings, just after the previous delivery kept quite low.
Fans shifted the blame between the team management and the pitch curator as India are headed towards danger since they have to bat last on the surface with only a minimal lead to show for.
A meagre 30 run lead and 4th batting on this pitch. Congrats India on 1st domestic loss under the new captain.
@BCCI @IDFCFIRSTBank Seeing both the innings in #INDVsSA #IDFCFIRSTBank it’s fair to say that the pitch at #EdenGarden is very substandard & Below average. From the first day dust started popping out & second day the pitch showing cracks. Pitch curator should be questioned.
This Eden Gardens pitch curator should be fired immediately Bro doesn't even listen to Indian captain Whats the point of playing on such pitches if India doesn't even get home advantage
Gambhir talks big but cannot make sure we get a proper pitch in home Test. First bottles a series against Nz and now this pitch against SA. Incompetence
Gambhir really went back to defensive and got a turner prepared :) As per reports, the pitch wasn't watered a day before the Test was allowed to dry through. That's why you have turn early on Day 2 here India may still win this series 2-0, but it won't hide suboptimal planning
I'm watching Test cricket at Eden after a long time. Who made this pitch? Heads should roll at CAB. Is this a second day wicket? The top crumbling before lunch? Indifferent bounce? Ball turning square from Day 1? Is this some sort of a joke @BCCI?
Eden Gardens pitches came under scrutiny during IPL 2025 as well
The early matches in the Indian domestic season at the Eden Gardens had sported some low-scoring affairs, with the 300-run mark being breached only once in eight innings.
The chief curator had also come under the scanner after his war of words with Kolkata Knight Riders (KKR) captain Ajinkya Rahane during the 2025 Indian Premier League (IPL) season. The veteran batter had expressed his displeasure at the quality of the pitches on offer, not enabling them to enforce home advantage.
Eden Gardens had also received the most average ratings (5) by the International Cricket Council (ICC) during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The iconic venue had hosted some high profile matches like the India's league stage clash against South Africa, and the semi-final clash between Australia and South Africa.
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Edited by Gokul Nair
English (US)