The opening Check between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens led to dramatic style, however as a substitute of the cricket itself, the pitch dominated headlines. India’s 30-run loss inside three days sparked heated reactions, none louder than Harbhajan Singh’s. The previous India off-spinner delivered a blistering critique of the floor, declaring that such pitches have ‘destroyed Check cricket’ and insisting the format is being disrespected past restore.
Three-day thriller ends in stunning defeat for India
What promised to be a intently contested collection opener was a low-scoring battle for survival as each groups struggled on a floor that provided sharp flip, variable bounce, and uneven tempo from the opening session. South Africa had been bowled out for 159 on Day 1, a complete India barely surpassed as they edged forward with 189.
The drama continued because the Proteas had been dismissed for 153 of their second innings, setting India a seemingly achievable goal of 124. However the hosts faltered spectacularly underneath strain. The Indian batting line-up, unable to regulate to the unpredictability of the pitch, crumbled for 93 in simply over a session.
South Africa’s 30-run win not solely handed them a 1-0 lead within the two-match collection but in addition marked their first Check victory in India in 15 years. Notably, Temba Bavuma’s gritty, unbeaten 55 stood as the one half-century of the match, underlining how treacherous batting situations had been. With 40 wickets falling in lower than three days, questions had been inevitable—particularly given Eden Gardens’ historic popularity for producing balanced Check pitches.
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Harbhajan Singh lambasts Eden Gardens pitch after India’s loss
Harbhajan, who famously spun India to victory on the identical venue in 2001, unleashed a scathing assault on the pitch after the defeat. He accused curators and decision-makers of constantly making ready excessive surfaces that rob the sport of its essence. The previous Indian star argued that such wickets get rid of talent and method, decreasing matches to a lottery fairly than a battle of temperament and sophistication.
“They’ve fully destroyed Check cricket. RIP Check cricket, relaxation in peace Check cricket. The type of work they’ve achieved, the type of pitches which were made for therefore a few years now… nobody talks about it as a result of the staff is profitable, somebody is taking wickets, somebody turns into nice by getting these wickets. So everybody feels every little thing is ok, however this observe didn’t begin right now. It has been occurring for years, and it’s the improper manner of taking part in,” mentioned Harbhajan on his YouTube channel.
Harbhajan went on to say that even the best Indian batters would discover survival inconceivable on such surfaces. His feedback reignited long-standing considerations about India’s method to house pitch preparation, particularly with the staff now struggling its fourth Check defeat in house situations within the final six matches.
Additionally READ: Fans erupt as South Africa end 15-year drought with stunning win over India in the first Test
