'Even I would've taken...': Kris Srikkanth slams Kolkata pitch, Gambhir
What's the story
Former India captain and BCCI chief selector Kris Srikkanth has criticized the pitch at Kolkata's Eden Gardens, where India lost the 1st Test to South Africa by 30 runs. The game ended in less than three complete days, drawing criticism from fans and experts alike. Despite the backlash, Gautam Gambhir defended the pitch, saying it was what the team management had asked for.
Pitch debate
Srikkanth questions Gambhir's defense of the pitch
Responding to Gambhir's defense, Srikkanth questioned how players were expected to perform on a pitch where nearly all batters failed except Temba Bavuma. He slammed the decision to continue playing on such subpar wickets and blamed the players' techniques for their failure. "No matter who you are, how can you survive on this wicket? Bavuma did, but that was just one player out of all," he said.
Home performance
Srikkanth highlights India's poor home Test record
Srikkanth also highlighted India's poor record at home, having lost four of their last six Tests. He criticized the team management for not learning from past mistakes in requesting rank-turners. "This is a horrible record at home. We are playing with full-fledged sides. Gambhir said this is the wicket we asked for, but this is not the wicket you should be playing Test cricket on," he said.
Strategy critique
Srikkanth criticizes India's strategy in Kolkata Test
Srikkanth also questioned India's decision to field four spinners in the Eden Gardens Test. He said, "The wicket was a bad wicket. Gambhir said after the match that there were no demons in the wicket, but come on, it was a horrible wicket." He added that on such turning tracks, India has been on the back foot with their scores clearly indicating something was wrong with the pitch.
Match
How the match panned out
Electing to bat first, SA were bowled out for 159, with Jasprit Bumrah claiming a fifer. Aiden Markram (31) top-scored for them. In response, India posted 189/10, with KL Rahul (39) and Washington Sundar (29) making the top contributions. An unbeaten 55 from skipper Temba Bavuma powered SA to 153/10 in their second outing. Chasing 124 without an injured Shubman Gill, India lost regular wickets and were eventually folded for 93. The match concluded on Day 3.