Top News

Should Gautam Gambhir Go Back to Classic Pitches Like Those Under Virat Kohli's Captaincy?

MENSXP | November 17, 2025 3:39 PM CST

The Eden Gardens pitch came under scrutiny as India lost to South Africa in less than three days. Chasing just 124, the hosts were bundled out for 93 and lost the game by 30 runs. The tourists now lead 1-0 with the second and final match in Guwahati that starts on November 22.

Gautam Gambhir Defends Eden Gardens Pitch

After the game, coach Gautam Gambhir said that the pitch was exactly how the team wanted it. India had gone into the game with four spinners. Other than Ravindra Jadeja and Kuldeep Yadav, Washington Sundar and Axar Patel too were in the playing XI. But it was South Africa’s Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj who triumphed in the end on a spin-friendly track. The pitch was blasted by experts such as Michael Vaughan, Anil Kumble, Dale Steyn and Cheteshwar Pujara.

Wasim Jaffer’s Advice for Gautam Gambhir

Former India player Wasim Jaffer has also joined the bandwagon. He feels Gambhir should go back to ‘classic pitches’ like in the time of Virat Kohli’s captaincy. He referred to the home series vs New Zealand and England which India won 3-0 and 4-0 respectively.

“Looks like we haven’t learned our lesson from NZ series loss. The gap between our spinners and opposition spinners reduces on pitches like this. We need to go back to classic Indian pitches, like the ones in 2016-17 season when Virat was captain and Eng and NZ toured. #INDvSA,” he wrote on X.

Looks like we haven’t learned our lesson from NZ series loss. The gap between our spinners and opposition spinners reduces on pitches like this. We need to go back to classic Indian pitches, like the ones in 2016-17 season when Virat was captain and Eng and NZ toured. #INDvSA
— Wasim Jaffer (@WasimJaffer14) November 16, 2025

When India’s Fortress Was Breached by New Zealand

When New Zealand came in 2024, they inflicted a 2024 whitewash. It was India’s first Test series loss at home since 2012. Incidentally, this Eden Gardens defeat was also a first since 2012. India are now on the verge of losing a home Test series for the second time in two calendar years.

South Africa Closing in on History

South Africa are on the cusp of history too. Their win in Kolkata was their first Test victory on Indian soil since 2010 and first one in Kolkata since 1996. If they draw or win the Guwahati Test they will win their first Test series in India since 2000. It remains to be seen if India can draw the series as the rubber remains with the visitors.