The International Cricket Council (ICC) has delivered its verdict on the contentious pitch used for the first Test between India and South Africa at Kolkata's Eden Gardens. Despite the match ending inside three days, ICC match referee and former West Indies captain Richie Richardson has rated the vicious turning track as 'satisfactory'.
Contrasting Fortunes and Pitch Ratings
The Test, played from November 14 to 16, 2023, saw South Africa secure a narrow 30-run victory. In a contrasting assessment, the pitch for the second and final Test at the ACA Stadium in Guwahati received a 'very good' rating from the global governing body. South Africa dominated that match, winning by a massive 408 runs to clinch the series 2-0, marking their first series triumph in India in 25 years.
The ICC's evaluation of the Kolkata surface stands in sharp relief to its judgment on the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) pitch used for the Ashes. The Boxing Day Test between Australia and England, which concluded inside two days, was rated "unsatisfactory" by match referee Jeff Crowe, resulting in the MCG receiving one demerit point.
A Match Dominated by Bowlers on a Challenging Surface
The Eden Gardens Test was a low-scoring affair dominated by the bowlers, highlighting the extreme conditions. South Africa was bowled out for 159 and 153, while India managed 189 and 93 in their fourth-innings chase of 124 on Day Three. The only half-century of the entire match came from South African captain Temba Bavuma, who showed immense grit with an unbeaten 55 off 136 balls in the second innings.
The pitch offered inconsistent bounce and sharp turn from the opening day, making batting a severe challenge. Bowlers thrived in these conditions. India's pace spearhead Jasprit Bumrah claimed a stunning five for 27 on Day One. South Africa's veteran off-spinner Simon Harmer was virtually unplayable, finishing with a match haul of eight for 51. All-rounders Marco Jansen and India's Ravindra Jadeja also proved highly effective on the demanding surface.
Divergent Views from the Indian Camp
Following the defeat, India's head coach Gautam Gambhir mounted a strong defence of the Eden Gardens pitch. He argued that the wicket was not a "demon" and that it tested technique and mental toughness. "Majority of the wickets were claimed by the seamers. It was more of a test of your technique and mental toughness... Those who defended well scored runs," Gambhir stated.
However, ahead of the second Test, India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak presented a starkly different perspective. He suggested the pitch behaved unexpectedly, becoming dusty and crumbling earlier than anticipated. "Seeing that much turn on the second day is not normal. It probably happened because the top layer was dry and the pitch underneath was hard since it was rolled a lot," Kotak explained in a pre-match press conference, highlighting the internal disagreement over the nature of the surface.
The ICC's 'satisfactory' rating for Kolkata, juxtaposed with the 'unsatisfactory' for a similarly short Test in Melbourne, is sure to fuel ongoing debates about pitch preparation, home advantage, and the balance between bat and ball in modern Test cricket.
