"This is exactly what we asked for" - Gautam Gambhir's big admission on Eden Gardens pitch after India's shocking loss in IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir defended the controversial pitch at Eden Gardens in Kolkata after the first Test against South Africa ended inside three days. The hosts were bowled out for 93 in the final innings while attempting to chase down the 123-run target on Sunday, November 16.

Fans and critics had slammed the surface after India and South Africa were skittled out for paltry scores in their first innings, facing only 55 and 62 overs, respectively. During the build-up to the clash, head curator Sujan Mukherjee had stated that the iconic venue will lay out a sporting wicket for the contest, with spin making a major impact only towards the latter stages of the contest.

Facing criticism for the surface laid out, the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Sourav Ganguly asserted that the pitch was prepared according to the instructions laid out by the home team.

Head coach Gautam Gambhir confirmed the same during his remarks after the match, choosing to blame the lack of application by the players instead of the pitch quality.

"The point is that you should be able to know how to play turn. This is exactly what we asked for, and this is what we got. I thought the curator was very supportive, and I still believe, irrespective of how the wicket was, 123 was chaseable," Gautam Gambhir said during the post match press conference (via Jio Hotstar).

Gambhir also lamented the lack of big partnerships during the final innings, which prevented India from having a hold on the target at any stage.

"We always felt that we can get those partnerships, those 50-run partnerships, we will be in the game. And we were at one stage having that kind of a partnership when Dhruv and Washi were batting, and when Washi and Jaddu were batting. It comes down to whether we have the ability at that time to absorb pressure. The important thing is that can we improve our skill against spinners? Can we improve our temperament?" he added.

Team India were already effectively one wicket down before the run chase began as Shubman Gill was ruled out of the Test due to a neck injury he sustained on Day 2. After being reduced to 1-2, the hosts only had one partnership that exceeded the 30-run mark, which came for the third wicket between Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar.

"More than the skill, it is the ability to absorb pressure" - Gautam Gambhir questions Team India's mentality after IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

Gautam Gambhir outlined the need for the team to absorb pressure since he does not question the skill level of players, who are selected on the basis of their ability and performances in the domestic circuit.

"We should not be comparing eras. There was no DRS back then. This is a young dressing room, there are a lot of youngsters. More than the skill, it is about the mental toughness. More than the skill, it is the ability to absorb pressure," Gambhir said

When asked to rate the performance of the team, Gambhir replied that he does not believe in such a practice, and just seeks improvement from the team to tackle home conditions better.

"I don't believe in giving out marks out of 10 and all that stuff. It is not fair that we start putting the blame on the batters, I think they tried everything possible, they gave everything they had. But, we still need to get better if we want to play on these kind of wickets," he added.

The second Test between India and South Africa is scheduled to begin from Saturday, November 22 onwards at the Barsapara Stadium in Guwahati.

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Edited by Gokul Nair