Kolkata, November — South Africa captain Temba Bavuma delivered a candid assessment after his team sealed a 30-run victory over India in the opening Test at Eden Gardens, stating that the Proteas succeeded by adjusting better to the very conditions India had requested for the match. His remarks intensified scrutiny over the Kolkata pitch, which became the centre of debate following India’s dramatic batting collapse while chasing just 124 runs.
In the post-match press conference, Bavuma agreed that South Africa had outplayed India using India’s own spin-favoured strategy.
“Yeah, it’s probably true. From what I understand, the wicket was prepared as requested by their camp. We arrived expecting turning surfaces.”
Bavuma’s composed and patient 55 off 136 balls proved decisive in a match where run-scoring was a rare commodity. The pitch — dry, abrasive and offering sharp turn with irregular bounce — demanded temperament and disciplined shot selection, qualities the hosts failed to display.
Eden Pitch Under Scanner Again
The Eden Gardens Test surface began turning from Day 1 and drew criticism for being under-prepared and leaning excessively towards spin. Reports suggested that the nature of the pitch aligned with India’s strategic request in the hope of giving Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel and Kuldeep Yadav maximum influence.
However, it was South Africa’s Simon Harmer who dominated, claiming eight wickets in the match, outbowling the Indian spin trio and controlling the game tempo.
Despite criticism, Head Coach Gautam Gambhir and Cricket Association of Bengal President Sourav Ganguly confirmed post-match that the pitch matched India’s specifications.
Bavuma defended the conditions, arguing they did not deviate drastically from what teams typically see in India.
“I don’t think I’ve ever played day four or five here. Unless they score 600. There were no demons — just natural turn and variable bounce,” he added.
He explained that the difficulty came from inconsistent bounce, making horizontal-bat shots particularly risky.
With the visitors now leading 1-0, India face pressing questions not just about their batting approach, but about whether ultra-tailored pitches are beginning to backfire under pressure.
The second Test is scheduled to begin in Guwahati from November 22, where India will look to level the series and fix technical shortcomings.
