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“A Good Track With...” Eden Gardens Curator Reveals Pitch Plans For IND vs SA Test

Jatin

Eden Gardens [Source: @BCCI/x.com]Eden Gardens [Source: @BCCI/x.com]

All eyes may be on the Bengal Pro T20 League for now but deep down at Eden Gardens, something bigger is brewing. Come November 14, the India vs South Africa Test will bring back red-ball action to Kolkata after a long five-year wait and the pitch is already a hot topic.

Eden Gardens Curator Hints At Pace-Friendly Pitch For IND vs SA Test

This Test will be the first at Eden Gardens since the India-Bangladesh pink-ball clash in 2019. It also marks the first time in nearly 13 years that Virat Kohli won’t be part of a Test match at this venue, following his sudden Test retirement last month.

With the match just five months away, preparations are already underway. The Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) is going full throttle, especially after Eden missed out on hosting the IPL final this year. As per CAB insiders, this India vs South Africa Test is almost a “compensation” for that miss.

Grass, Pace And A Bit of Spice

The biggest question? What kind of pitch will Eden roll out for the Proteas. South Africa are known to thrive on pace-friendly tracks. And the curator seems to be playing ball.

“A good track with a decent bit of grass content will be prepared,” said Sujan Mukherjee, the long-serving Eden Gardens curator, while speaking to The Telegraph.

Now that is enough to get both pacers and purists licking their lips. Sujan also revealed that two central pitches are being prepped for the match but they won’t be re-laid.

“The pitches will not be re-laid, but top-dressing the surfaces is important to enhance the overall pitch health,” he added.

For those wondering, top-dressing is the art of applying a mix of soil and sand on the pitch to help it breathe better and support stronger grass growth.

While the curator is leaning towards pace, he also left the door open for Team India’s management if they want a spin-friendly track instead. Flexibility is key and Sujan seems game for whatever call comes in from the dressing room.

Whether it’s a track for the quicks or one that turns square by Day 3, one thing’s clear, the Eden strip will be in the limelight.

Lush Outfield Incoming

It’s not just about the pitch, though. The Eden outfield is also getting its share of attention. Some coring work will be done to keep the outfield lush and even greener.

“The idea is to make it look even more lush green,” Mukherjee said.

With five months still left on the clock, the buzz around Eden Gardens is already picking up steam. Whether the pitch ends up helping India’s spinners or SA’s quicks, one thing’s for sure: the theatre is ready and some incredible cricketing action is guaranteed.