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A day after India’s shocking loss to South Africa at Eden Gardens, criticism continues to grow. Ex-captain Kris Srikkanth joked that he would’ve become a dangerous bowler on a turning track. India failed to chase 124, ending at 93 all out, highlighting their struggle against spin. Gambhir later claimed that the team had asked for this surface, a statement that annoyed Srikkanth.

The former BCCI selection chief, Srikkanth, said he could not understand the thinking behind choosing such a pitch. India’s collapse against New Zealand had already exposed their struggles against top-class spinners. Ajaz Patel, Matthew Kuhnemann, Steve O’Keefe, and now Simon Harmer have all capitalised on the weakness.

“The pitch was completely substandard. Gambhir mentioned after the match that there were no demons in it, but honestly, it was a poor surface. That wasn’t a proper Test wicket. If a match wraps up in just two and a half days, it’s obvious something is wrong with the pitch,” Srikkanth said on his YouTube channel.

“On these turning pitches, India have constantly found themselves on the back foot. Just look at the totals 159, 189, 153, 93. Clearly, something isn’t right with the surface. On day one, Bumrah produced a vicious delivery to Markram that almost flew over his head. The bounce was unpredictable for the seamers, and the spinners were getting sharp turn. On a wicket like this, even I could’ve picked up wickets. All you’d need to do is bowl straight and let the pitch do the rest.”

Kris Srikkanth questioned India’s selection strategy, particularly the choice to play four spinners when Washington Sundar wasn’t asked to bowl at all. He said the problem wasn’t Sundar batting at No. 3, but the lack of a bowling role for him, which made the overall plan look unclear and poorly thought out.

“They loaded the attack with four spinners, but Sundar wasn’t given overs. I fail to understand the logic behind that. I have no problem with Washington Sundar at No. 3,” Srikkanth observed.