Former Indian captain and current Cricket Association of Bengal president Sourav Ganguly said the Eden Gardens pitch was not the best Test wicket after India suffered a 30-run loss against South Africa on Sunday. 

India was bowled out for 93 runs in the run chase of 124 as they crumbled like ninepins. The track started turning big from day one and there was an invariable bounce on the surface. 

Only South African captain Temba Bavuma scored an unbeaten knock of 55 runs but none of the other batters from either side could convert their start into a substantial score.

Interestingly, head coach Gautam Gambhir said in the post-match press conference that they wanted this type of pitch and curator Sujan Mukherjee delivered the same. However, the former KKR captain admitted his batters didn’t bat well in the second innings as 124 was chaseable.

Sourav Ganguly said on India Today, “There is no controversy. It was not the best Test wicket, but unfortunately, India lost. And they still should have got 120. It wasn’t the greatest of Test pitch. Gambhir said they wanted such a pitch and that they themselves instructed the curator. Yes, that is true — instructions were given, and I’ll just repeat what I said earlier. I am very fond of Gautam; he has done well for India in England, in ODIs, in T20 cricket. We will continue for a while, but we must play on good pitches.”

Meanwhile, Ganguly said the team should look to win Test matches in five days and not three and Gambhir should back the fast bowlers.

“He (Gambhir) must have faith in Bumrah, Siraj, and Shami. Win Test matches in five days, not three days,” said Ganguly (via the aforementioned source).

India could not deliver with the bat and it led to the team’s downfall. India and South Africa will take on each other in the second Test at Barsapara Cricket Stadium, Guwahati, from Saturday onwards.