India faced a disappointing defeat against South Africa at Eden Gardens, being bowled out for just 93 runs in a spin-friendly clash. The home team succumbed to a 30-run loss as South Africa’s bowlers, led by Simon Harmer, ran through the Indian batting lineup with ease.
Even before the match concluded, the pitch at Eden Gardens came under scrutiny. Critics pointed to two main issues: first, the surface showed inconsistent bounce, making batting unpredictable; second, there was growing concern that India might be neutralizing their own home advantage by preparing tracks that turn batting into a lottery.
Despite these concerns, India’s head coach Gautam Gambhir defended the pitch after the match, insisting that it was exactly what the team had aimed for. “This is exactly the pitch we wanted. If we don’t play well, this is what will happen. 124 was chaseable,” Gambhir said.
He further emphasized that the surface was not as treacherous as reported, stating, “There were no demons in this wicket. It wasn’t unplayable. The majority of the wickets were taken by seamers. This pitch tested technique, mental toughness, and temperament.”
Indian Batters Struggle Despite Chaseable Target
At the toss, vice-captain Rishabh Pant had expressed confidence in chasing the target, calling 124 runs very achievable. “A game like this, you can’t dwell into it too much. We should’ve been able to chase this score,” Pant said. He added that pressure in the second innings affected the team’s performance, noting that India needed to handle challenging surfaces better.
The second Test is scheduled to take place in Guwahati from November 22. South Africa now holds an unassailable 1-0 lead in the two-match series and is aiming to secure their first Test series win in India in 25 years.
