Gautam Gambhir shuts down pitch debate after India’s shock defeat in Kolkata Test against South Africa

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India head coach Gautam Gambhir firmly dismissed criticism surrounding the Eden Gardens pitch after the hosts crashed to a 30-run defeat against South Africa in the opening Test. Despite India being bundled out for a dismal 93 in the fourth innings, Gambhir clarified that the surface behaved exactly as the team had requested and insisted that the defeat stemmed from poor shot selection and fragile temperament rather than pitch conditions.

India’s batting unit, already under the scanner for inconsistent performances in spinning conditions, folded under pressure in the modest chase of 124. With captain Shubman Gill hospitalised due to a neck injury and unavailable to bat on day three, the rest of the lineup lacked composure and clarity. The team crumbled to 93 all out in just 35 overs — India’s third-lowest fourth-innings total in Test history.

South Africa, determined to end a lengthy drought in the subcontinent, displayed the discipline that the Indians lacked. Temba Bavuma’s unbeaten 55 earlier in the day set the template for batting on the tricky surface, while India found no such anchor to build around.

The defeat also amplified concerns over India’s recent record at home. This was their fourth loss in the last six Tests on home soil, a sequence that includes the 0-3 drubbing against New Zealand on rank turners last year. The recurring pattern has reopened the debate about whether India’s modern batters have regressed in their approach to spin.

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Amid growing scrutiny over the uneven bounce and sharp turn observed during the match, Gambhir remained unwavering in his assessment. He revealed that the team management had been fully involved in the pitch preparation process and that curator Sujan Mukherjee had delivered precisely what India had specified.

“It was not an unplayable wicket. This pitch is exactly what we asked for and this is what we got. The curator was very supportive. This wicket tests your mental toughness — those who showed solid defence and discipline scored runs,” said Gambhir in the post-match presser.

Gambhir strengthened his argument by highlighting the performances of players who showed application despite challenging conditions. He added: “There were no demons. Axar, Temba, Washington — they all made runs. If this was a turning wicket, remember that most of the wickets in the match actually went to the seamers.”

Washington Sundar’s gritty 31 off 92 balls was one of the few positives for India, while Bavuma’s calm, controlled 55* set South Africa up for their historic win — their first Test triumph in India in 15 years.

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