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On Sunday, Shukri Conrad, the head coach of South Africa, expressed his acceptance of spin-friendly pitches, stating that such conditions are typical when playing in India or the subcontinent. Following a remarkable victory over India in the first Test of their two-match series, which wrapped up in just three days at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, Conrad shared his insights during the post-match press conference.

He noted that succeeding on these types of wickets is more about mental resilience than technical skills, highlighting the importance of focus, adaptability, and determination for the team's success.

In a thrilling match, South Africa triumphed over India by 30 runs, as the Indian team fell short of chasing a target of 124 runs in the final innings. This victory marked South Africa's first Test win on Indian soil in 15 years, dating back to 2010. Simon Harmer, the South African spinner, was awarded Player of the Match for his impressive performance, taking eight wickets across both innings.

Conrad elaborated on the mental aspects of playing in such conditions, stating, "Preparation is key. It often becomes a mental struggle rather than just a technical one, as players may feel uncertain about scoring runs. You have to rely on your instincts and confront your doubts about technique. Ultimately, it's more about mindset than mechanics."

He regarded the victory as a significant milestone and expressed optimism about replicating this performance in the upcoming match in Guwahati, emphasizing that it sets a positive tone for the series.