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Anil Kumble “confused” over Gambhir’s Eden Gardens remark after India’s collapse

Aakash Saini

Gautam Gambhir and Anil Kumble [Source: @ILoveYouJanu68, @Teamindiacrick/x]Gautam Gambhir and Anil Kumble [Source: @ILoveYouJanu68, @Teamindiacrick/x]

Team India fell to a 30-run larruping at the hands of South Africa on Day 3 of the series-opening first Test match at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Tasked to chase just 124 runs to take a 1-0 lead in the series, the Indian team capitulated for just 93 in 35 overs in front of visiting spinners Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj as well as to lanky paceman Marco Jansen.

Former Indian spinner Anil Kumble, visibly frustrated over the result, questioned the nature of the playing surface in Kolkata, and even slammed Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir over the latter’s controversial remarks after the shambolic defeat.

Anil Kumble questions Gautam Gambhir, Eden Gardens’ legacy

After the match, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir defended the Eden Gardens pitch, claiming that the surface was exactly what the Indian team wanted. Former Indian spinner and Gambhir’s ex-teammate Anil Kumble, however, was left perplexed over Gambhir’s statement as well as with the spin-friendly nature of the Eden Gardens surface.

While speaking on JioHotstar and as quoted by the Indian Express, Anil Kumble said:

“If you look back at the legacy of Eden Gardens, there have been so many Test matches that have been played. I’ve been coming here since I was an Under-19 kid and I’ve never had a pitch that behaved like this over the three days in a Test match. I did listen to what Gautam said, he did mention about the fact that the team wanted something like this. Then I’m a bit confused because I know this is a young side.”

Anil Kumble also added that the Indian team, currently in its rehabilitation phase following the retirements of Virat Kohli and Rohit Sharma, should play on good sporting conditions with a little something for the batters. The legendary spinner also cited India’s recent impressive track record in England, where they managed to level the series 2-2 on sporting pitches.

Kumble added:

“When you want your young side to grow, which they did exceptionally well in England, on really tough conditions, good cricketing conditions, they fought really well, 2-all draw. Then when you come here, I’m sure they would have done exceptionally well in similar conditions. You need to give them the confidence to continue to score runs. The batters need to feel confident of scoring hundreds. For bowlers it needs to be challenging. The wickets will come. They are all skillful bowlers.”

Trailing 0-1, hosts India will now face South Africa in the series-deciding second Test from November 22 onwards. The match will be hosted by the Barsapara Cricket Stadium in Guwahati.