India failed to chase a target of 124 on a crumbling Kolkata pitch.
The pitch served for the first Test between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens has come under severe scrutiny as the match ended inside three days.
India failed to chase a target of 124 on a crumbling surface, getting bowled out for a paltry 93. It came after the hosts were bowled out for 189 in their first innings.
India's batting collapsed like nine pins, with no one reaching the 50-run mark across two innings. In fact, only Proteas skipper Temba Bavuma managed to register a 40-plus score in the game, finishing unbeaten on 55 in the third innings.
Amid wave of criticism, Eden Gardens curator Sujan Mukherjee has defended the surface, insisting that it was not substandard and he had simply followed instructions.
Mukherjee further stated that he knows how to prepare a proper Test pitch and puts his heart and soul into the job.
"This pitch is not bad at all," Mukherjee said in an interview with Times Now Bangla.
"I know everyone is questioning this pitch. Honestly, I know how to prepare a pitch for a Test. That's exactly what I did. I did it as instructed. I don't think about what others say. Not everyone knows everything. So I do my job with dedication, and I want to continue doing that in the future as well,” he added.
Speaking to India Today, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly also came to the defence of Kolkata track, citing that this is what the home team wanted.
Ganguly added that Indian team management should back themselves on sporting pitches and trust their pace trio of Jasprit Bumrah, Mohammed Siraj and Mohammad Shami to deliver.
"Yes, that is true — instructions were given, and I’ll just repeat what I said earlier. I am very fond of Gautam; he has done well for India in England, in ODIs, in T20 cricket. We will continue for a while, but we must play on good pitches. He must have faith in Bumrah, Siraj, and Shami. Spinners, who win Test matches for them. Win Test matches in five days, not three days,” Ganguly said.
Addressing the media after India’s defeat in Kolkata, India head coach Gautam Gambhir admitted the team management had asked for a spin-friendly strip for the series opener against South Africa.
"The majority of wickets went to the seamers. No, the point is that you should be able to know how to play a turn. And this is what we asked for, and this is what we got. I thought the curator was very supportive,” Gambhir told reporters.
India will have some time to regroup and reevaluate their plans before taking on South Africa in the second Test at Guwahati from November 22.