The hallowed turf of Kolkata's Eden Gardens finds itself at the center of a raging storm in the cricketing world. This follows a shockingly brief first Test between India and South Africa that concluded in under two and a half days, leaving fans and experts stunned.
A Historic Batting Collapse
The controversy ignited during India's second innings, where the home team suffered a dramatic and unprecedented collapse. The Indian Test side was bundled out for a paltry 93 runs, marking the first time in history the team has failed to cross the 100-run mark in the fourth innings of a Test match. This dismal performance came while chasing a modest target of 124 runs, turning what should have been a thrilling contest into a lopsided affair.
Ganguly's Candid Take on Pitch Preparation
Weighing in on the heated debate, former India captain and current president of the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB), Sourav Ganguly, offered a transparent view of the pitch preparation process. In an interview, Ganguly clarified that he does not interfere, stating, "No, no, I don't get involved at all." He revealed that BCCI-appointed curators take control of the pitch four days before a Test match, working alongside the local curator, Sujan Mukherjee.
However, 'Dada' did not shy away from criticizing the quality of the surface. "It was not the greatest, I'll have to completely admit," Ganguly told the publication. He expressed his belief that the talented Indian batting lineup, including captain Gautam Gambhir and his team, deserved a better sporting wicket, especially with a full house of passionate fans in attendance for all three days.
Contrasting Opinions from the Dressing Room
The pitch debate has seen differing perspectives emerge from within the Indian camp. India coach Gautam Gambhir defended the surface, asserting that there were "no demons in the pitch" and that the batters should have been capable of chasing down the 124-run target. This view found support from legendary batsman Sunil Gavaskar, who suggested that Indian batters could have learned from the application shown by South Africa's captain, Temba Bavuma, on the same tricky surface.
Adding another layer to the story, the Eden Gardens curator confirmed that he had tried to accommodate the requests of the host team's captain and coach when preparing the strip. The incident has sparked a crucial conversation about the balance between competitive home advantage and the quality of cricket, leaving the Indian team with much to ponder.
