"You often get such wickets" - Discarded India batter makes huge comment on Kolkata pitch after India's loss in IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

Discarded India batter Ajinkya Rahane made a strong comment about the Eden Gardens pitch after the team’s loss to South Africa in the first Test of the two-match series in Kolkata. Chasing 124 on Day 3 (Sunday, November 16), the hosts were bowled out for 93 in 35 overs, losing the match by 30 runs.

Reacting to the defeat in a video shared on his YouTube channel, Rahane praised the Proteas batters for their intent on Day 3 in the second innings, while noting that teams in India often encounter spin-friendly surfaces that are challenging for batters. He said:

“The kind of pitch we had in Kolkata was very challenging for the batsmen. South Africa came out this morning and batted with good intent, scoring 40 to 50 runs quickly. They took a few chances, but on this wicket, batting in that manner was very important. In Indian conditions, you often get such wickets. You expect spin friendly surfaces that are a bit challenging for batters, especially because of the WTC cycle, where every home team wants to win their Test matches at home.” “So yes, this Test match, this wicket, was challenging for the batsmen. But I felt that in the Indian team, maybe two batters should have been given the freedom to go out and play attacking cricket, play attacking shots. Whenever you are chasing a small target like 125 or 130 on a tricky wicket, you need to let two batters play freely. If you give them that freedom and tell them to play their natural game and their shots, it can help,” he added.

South African off-spinner Simon Harmer was named Player of the Match after taking eight wickets across both innings.

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“This is exactly what we asked for” - India head coach’s massive statement on Eden Gardens pitch after defeat in 1st Test

As India lost the first Test by 30 runs on a pitch widely discussed for aiding bowlers, head coach Gautam Gambhir said during the post-match conference that they had asked for exactly this type of track. He stated [via BCCI]:

“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.”

The two teams will return to action for the second Test on Saturday, November 22, at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.

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Edited by Dev Sharma