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"Exactly the pitch we...": Gambhir defends Eden Gardens pitch despite India's defeat to SA

Akshita Patel

Gautam Gambhir reacts to India's first Test loss to South Africa [Source: @ILoveYouJanu68/X.com]Gautam Gambhir reacts to India's first Test loss to South Africa [Source: @ILoveYouJanu68/X.com]

India lost the first Test against South Africa by 30 runs as the dramatic game concluded inside three days. Head coach Gautam Gambhir, however, defended the Eden Gardens pitch, saying the batters failed to apply themselves.

Chasing 124 runs on Day 3, India collapsed to just 93 runs. Simon Harmer picked 8 wickets combined, whereas Marco Jansen also picked 5 wickets in two innings.

No Indian batter managed to score a single half-century, as collapses in both innings raised questions about the Eden Gardens pitch.

Gautam Gambhir refuses to entertain pitch debate

However, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir defended Eden Gardens’ pitch curator, saying the surface was exactly what they wanted.

He added that the pitch had no demons and wasn’t unplayable at all. It’s just that Indian batters failed to bat with temperament and counter-spin with solid defence.

"This is what we asked for and the curator was supportive. This is exactly the pitch we were looking for. The curator here was very supportive. When you don't play well, this is what happens. I don't think it's a difficult wicket. It's a wicket that can judge your mental toughness, as the ones who played with good defence scored runs," Gambhir said.

Gambhir pointed out that despite the surface being favourable for spinners, pacers ended up picking sizeable numbers of wickets. 

The coach also stressed that players with solid defence, like Temba Bavuma and Washington Sundar, proved runs were possible. 

"More than skill, it is about the ability to absorb pressure. When you look at technique, mental toughness and temperament, pitches like this actually allow batters to develop and test themselves. Even with so much turn on offer, the majority of wickets still went to the seamers. The point is that you should know how to play turn. This is what we asked for and this is what we got," he added.

Calling it a test of mental toughness, Gambhir said India simply failed to apply themselves during a chaseable target of 124. He added that pitches like this help batters develop skill, patience and temperament.

"I still believe that irrespective of how the wicket played, 123 was chaseable. If you are willing to put your head down, have a solid defence and the temperament, you can definitely score runs. It may not be a wicket where you can be flamboyant or play big shots, but if you are patient, you can score."

Gautam Gambhir also shared a small update on Shubman Gill, who is admitted to the hospital after sustaining a neck spasm injury. 

He said Gill is still being assessed by the doctors, and a call on his participation in the second Test is yet to be taken.