The Eden Gardens in Kolkata has become the center of attention in the first Test match between India and South Africa due to its tricky pitch conditions. Both teams have struggled to adapt to the unpredictable surface, with the Men in Blue managing to bundle out the visitors for 159 in the first innings. However, India themselves faced a batting collapse on Day 2, getting dismissed for 189 and only securing a narrow lead.
Pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee had initially promised a surface that would assist spin only in the later stages of the match. Despite this, India surprised everyone by fielding four spinners in their playing XI for the first time since 2012. South African batters found it tough to deal with the uneven bounce, especially from fast bowler Jasprit Bumrah, who claimed a five-wicket haul. On the other hand, Indian batsmen struggled to get going and none of them looked settled at the crease.
Spin has already played a significant role in the match, with Simon Harmer picking up four wickets and Axar Patel even opening the bowling for India in the second innings. The pitch started to show signs of deterioration when Ryan Rickelton was hit on the ribs by a delivery that kept low. Fans have been quick to blame both the team management and the pitch curator for the challenging conditions, as India now face the daunting task of batting last on a surface that has already shown signs of wear and tear.
The pitch at Eden Gardens has previously come under scrutiny during the IPL 2025 season, with low-scoring matches becoming a common occurrence. The chief curator had also faced criticism during the tournament, particularly from Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane, who expressed dissatisfaction with the quality of the pitches. In the 2023 ODI World Cup, the Eden Gardens received average ratings from the ICC and hosted some crucial matches, including India’s clash against South Africa and the semi-final between Australia and South Africa.
Overall, the pitch conditions at Eden Gardens have once again become a topic of discussion, with fans and experts alike questioning the quality of the surface. As the match progresses, it remains to be seen how both teams will adapt to the challenging conditions and which side will ultimately emerge victorious.
