Eden Gardens Pitch Sparks Concern Ahead of IND vs SA 1st Test

The Eden Gardens pitch came under scrutiny as the Indian team management expressed unease about its dry nature ahead of the first Test.

With just three days left for the opening Test between India and South Africa, the pitch at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens has come under sharp focus. The iconic venue is set to host its first Test since 2019, the memorable pink-ball match between India and Bangladesh, and uncertainty surrounds the kind of surface that will be on offer.

According to a PTI report, following a three-hour training session, India’s coaching and leadership group — including head coach Gautam Gambhir, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, bowling coach Morne Morkel, and captain Shubman Gill, carried out a detailed pitch inspection at the centre wicket.

“Morkel and Gill checked the firmness before summoning curator Sujan Mukherjee for a 15-minute discussion. Judging by their expressions, the management did not appear entirely pleased with the surface. The pitch, which has not been watered for a week now, appeared dry and brown with light grass patches,” the report said.

The report also added that Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Sourav Ganguly and other officials held discussions with Mukherjee. While the adjoining practice areas were watered, the main pitch was left deliberately dry, adding to the mystery about its preparation.

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Dry Surface Raises Questions

Mukherjee and Ganguly have both maintained that the surface will be “very good” and will offer turn as the game progresses. Ganguly further clarified that the Indian team had not requested a “rank turner.”

Historically, Eden Gardens was known as a spin-friendly venue until 2015. After significant relaying work, the pitch started offering extra bounce and pace, changing its character. Even the Kolkata Knight Riders, the home IPL franchise, have requested turning tracks in recent seasons to suit their spin attack, but curator Sujan Mukherjee has stayed firm on his approach, often refusing such demands from IPL coaches and captains.

“There has been enough talk about the wicket. Mai kuch bolunga toh bawaal ho jayega (if I say anything, it will cause a controversy),” Ajinkya Rahane had remarked during a press conference last year. “Let me just keep it that way. Our curator (Sujan Mukherjee) has got a lot of publicity. I think he’s happy with that publicity. You (the media) can write whatever you want about the home advantage. If I feel like it, I’ll tell the IPL team rather than talking here. I’ll talk to the concerned authorities,” he added.

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While India are expected to back their spin trio of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, the team management remains wary. Overly spin-friendly conditions can often backfire, as seen during New Zealand’s whitewash of Rohit Sharma’s men in 2024, when visiting spinners exploited similar conditions to perfection.