Even Kohli and Tendulkar wont survive: Ex-India star slams Eden Gardens pitch for India-South Africa 1st Test
A former Team India star has slammed the poor pitch at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata after 26 wickets fell inside two days in the 1st Test between India and South Africa.
Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh launched scathing criticism of the pitch used for the ongoing first Test between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Harbhajan said even the legendary Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli will struggle to play on such a track after 26 wickets fell inside two days in the Test match.
South Africa were bowled out for 159 runs in their first innings on the opening day of the Test match, before India lost Yashasvi Jaiswal as 11 wickets fell in the day. India were skittled out for 189 runs in their first innings, managing a slender lead of 30 runs on Day 2. South Africa, on the other hand, lost seven wickets in their second innings before the end of the day's play.
On Day 3, South Africa were bowled out for 153 runs to set up a 123-run target for India on the tricky wicket. With skipper Shubman Gill out due to a neck injury, India were left in a spot of bother in the run chase after losing openers Yashasvi Jaiswal (0) and KL Rahul (1) in quick succession.
Harbhajan slammed the deteriorating pitch at the Eden Gardens, stating that such tracks will prove detrimental to the future of Test cricket. The former India spinner, who played a key role in India's famous win against Australia at the Eden Gardens in 2001, cited the example of the Test series between India and England earlier this year, where competitive pitches produced thrillers.
"Just two days are done and we are able to see which way the game is going. They have done RIP to Test cricket. I don’t think Test cricket has any value left. India played exceptionally well in England recently, everyone praised them. The pitches on which they played and how India fought back to win that is Test cricket, that is fun," Harbhajan said in a video on his YouTube channel.
Slamming the pitch, Harbhajan said batters have no idea how to tackle the conditions as the ball is moving anywhere after pitching. There has been sharp movement on offer along with uneven bounce on the pitch at the Eden Gardens. The former India spinner said even the most skilled batters cannot survive on such pitches as technique is not coming into play.
"This pitch is like, you pitch the ball here and it’s turning and going elsewhere. Batters hardly know what to do. Even the likes of Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar cannot survive on such pitches because one ball will keep low, bounce extra or turn viciously to get your wicket. So, technique is not coming into play, just the pitch," Harbhajan added.
The former India spinner lambasted the Eden Gardens pitch curator for 'making fun of the game' by creating a pitch that didn't last for even two days. Harbhajan, who is India's 4th-highest wicket-taker in Tests, said he has been trying to speak about the issues regarding pitches at the Eden Gardens for quite some time now, but no action has been taken.
"It’s been happening for years now. When I talk about it, people tell me why do you speak about them. I don’t think we have seen such unprepared conditions. It’s not going the right way. It’s pathetic, utter nonsense to see this. They are making fun of the game," said the former India spinner.
What is the highest successful run chase in Tests at the Eden Gardens?
India chased down 117 against South Africa at the Eden Gardens in a Test match in November 2004, which is the highest successful chase by any team in Tests at the iconic venue. India need to better their own record by chasing down the target of 124 runs in the ongoing Test match to beat South Africa and go 1-0 up in the two-match series.