The Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata, being used for the first Test between India and South Africa, has divided the opinions of fans and experts alike. South Africa won the toss and made 159 runs in its first innings, to which India replied with 189 runs, taking a 30-run lead.

However, the second innings showed the pitch was full of sharp turn and venomous, uneven bounce as South Africa ended day two on 93/7 with a lead of 63 runs.

Despite the turn and uneven bounce, with Simon Harmer and Ravindra Jadeja taking 4 wickets each, fast bowlers have taken 11 wickets out of 26 to fall till now. Jasprit Bumrah took five wickets, Mohammed Siraj took two wickets, and Marco Jansen took three scalps.

Dinesh Karthik said on television that it was strange that the surface hadn't been watered the day before the Test. Some fans have criticized the pitch on social media, and Michael Vaughan even took to X to voice his disapproval of the song.

Australia’s Aaron Finch approached the Kolkata surface differently.

Taking to X, he wrote, "What are your thoughts on the type of wicket we are seeing in kolkata? I love seeing fielders crowding the bat and the ball spinning big, makes for great viewing. Interested to hear how others see it."

Responding to Finch, R Ashwin pointed out that Temba Bavuma 'clearly showed that the pitch was manageable with his sound defensive technique'.

"Hey Finchy, Bavuma clearly showed that this pitch was manageable with his sound defensive technique, defending on top of the bounce and not picking length as a batter is recipe for disaster", Ashwin replied.

Finch told Ashwin that 'every ball is an event' in the match, and that it's 'exciting' to watch players fight to survive.

"I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, every ball is an event though and watching players try and work out a way to survive is fun to watch", Finch stated.

Bavuma remained unbeaten at 29* off 78 balls in the second innings, as other South African batters failed.