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The third India vs South Africa Test in Kolkata wrapped up in under three days, ending on Sunday, and the hosts’ failure to chase a modest 124 sparked widespread criticism. The defeat reignited questions about India’s batting prowess on turning tracks, while the Eden Gardens pitch drew heavy scrutiny, with many pointing fingers at curator Sujan Mukherjee. However, former India captain and CAB president Sourav Ganguly shifted the responsibility back to the team management led by Gautam Gambhir.

Ganguly, Gambhir and Sunil Gavaskar defend pitch, question India’s batting

Ganguly told News18 Bangla that the pitch was exactly what the Indian team had demanded. “The pitch is what the Indian camp wanted. This is what happens when you don’t water the pitch for four days. Curator Sujan Mukherjee can’t be blamed,” he said.

India head coach Gautam Gambhir echoed this sentiment, asserting that the surface played as expected. “It was not an unplayable wicket. This pitch is exactly what we requested, and this is what we got. The curator was very supportive. It was a wicket that tested mental toughness; those who defended well scored runs,” he said at the post-match press conference.

Former India captain Sunil Gavaskar also backed Gambhir, stating the pitch was more than fair and the defeat came down to poor batting execution. “Totally agree with Gautam Gambhir. 124 was chaseable on this pitch. There was no question about it,” he told India Today.

Gavaskar pointed out that South Africa’s spinners thrived on discipline rather than extreme turn. “People are calling it a spinning pitch. It was nothing vicious. Poor technique and poor temperament have landed us in this situation,” he said, adding that India needed to bat like it was a five-day Test, not a T20.
He highlighted Temba Bavuma’s gritty half-century as the blueprint for how batters should have approached the conditions. “Bavuma batted with real temperament, technique and dedication. That should at least have been at the back of their minds,” Gavaskar said.