Kolkata: Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president and former India captain Sourav Ganguly has clarified that BCCI-appointed curators, not the state association, finalised the Eden Gardens pitch that came under severe scrutiny after the India–South Africa Test ended within three days.
The Test match in Kolkata featured a surface that offered sharp turn, variable bounce and minimal scoring opportunities from the opening session. India’s chase of 124 fell short, triggering widespread criticism over the nature of the wicket. Temba Bavuma’s half-century remained the only fifty of the match.
Speaking to India Today, Ganguly stressed that once BCCI curators arrived—four days before the Test—CAB stepped aside from all pitch-related decisions.
“No, no, I don’t get involved at all,” Ganguly said. “Curators from the BCCI come and take over the wickets four days before the Test match. Our own curator, Sujan Mukherjee, has done exceptionally well for years, but once the requests are made, you follow them.”
Ganguly Admits Pitch Was “Not the Greatest”
Ganguly acknowledged that the surface did not provide a fair contest and reiterated that India’s batting unit deserves more balanced wickets at home—especially considering their strong recent performances overseas, including a drawn series in England on high-quality tracks.
“It was not the greatest, I have to admit,” he said. “Top-order and middle-order batters deserve better cricketing surfaces. Eden was a full house for three days, and I firmly believe Gautam Gambhir and his team should play on much better wickets.”
The former BCCI president also confirmed that the pitch was prepared based on requests from the team management, including head coach Gautam Gambhir.
“Sometimes it is beyond our control. You try to keep the coach and captain’s requests. Gambhir himself said after the match that he asked for this kind of pitch, and he got it.”
‘No Question of Sacking Gautam Gambhir’
Amid calls from some quarters to remove Gambhir after India’s recent struggles at home—including four defeats to SENA nations—Ganguly dismissed any such notion.
“There is no question of sacking Gautam Gambhir at this stage,” he stated.
Ganguly praised both Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill for their performances in England and urged Indian cricket to remain patient rather than reacting impulsively due to World Test Championship pressures.
He emphasised that India’s bowlers are capable of taking 20 wickets even on good, fair pitches.
“Gautam as a coach and Shubman as a captain did exceptionally well in England. I firmly believe they can do just as well in India on proper cricketing wickets.”
Ganguly concluded by encouraging the team to back its strengths rather than rely on extreme home conditions.
