Archive · 17 Nov 2025
Cricket Legends Criticize India's Test Tactics and Pitch Following Eden Gardens Loss
After India lost a cricket match very quickly at Eden Gardens, many famous former players said the field was too tricky and made batting too hard.
They felt it was bad for the game of cricket.
They also said India's batters struggled with how to hit the ball and play against the other team.
India's coach, Gautam Gambhir, disagreed and said the field was okay, and it was the players' fault for not playing well under pressure.
He also mentioned that the team asked for this kind of field.
Other cricket experts questioned why the team's best bowler didn't start the game, and said India's skills against spinning balls have gotten worse.
Some also remembered when Virat Kohli was captain, the team played differently and focused on scoring lots of runs.
Now, India is facing tough questions about how they are playing Test matches.
Cricket legends like Harbhajan Singh and Dale Steyn heavily criticized the Eden Gardens pitch following India's three-day Test defeat to South Africa.
Head Coach Gautam Gambhir defended the pitch, stating it had 'no demons,' and blamed India's batters for failing to absorb pressure.
Critics argue that extreme pitches like the one at Eden Gardens are 'destroying Test cricket' and hindering player development.
Former players questioned India's tactical decisions, including bowling choices and batting strategies, contrasting them with past approaches under Virat Kohli.
Concerns were raised about a decline in India's fundamental batting skills, particularly against spin bowling on turning tracks.
- Who
- Former cricketers (Harbhajan Singh, Dale Steyn, Anil Kumble, Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Irfan Pathan) and Head Coach Gautam Gambhir.
- What
- Widespread criticism of the Eden Gardens pitch and India's batting tactics following their three-day Test defeat to South Africa, with Gambhir defending the pitch and blaming his batters.
- When
- Following India's loss to South Africa at Eden Gardens.
- Where
- Eden Gardens, Kolkata.
- Why
- Critics believe the pitch was excessively difficult, impacting batting technique and harming Test cricket. Gambhir asserts the batters failed to handle pressure, while critics also point to questionable tactical decisions and a decline in the team's ability to play spin.
Gautam Gambhir's Defense
Critics' Arguments
Nature of the Eden Gardens Pitch
Gautam Gambhir's Defense
Gautam Gambhir defended the curator, stating the pitch had 'no demons' and that the batters failed to absorb pressure.
Critics' Arguments
Harbhajan Singh, Dale Steyn, Cheteshwar Pujara, and Ajinkya Rahane strongly criticized the pitch, calling it extreme, challenging, and damaging to Test cricket, with Steyn noting balls spinning excessively or skidding through.
India's Batting Performance and Strategy
Gautam Gambhir's Defense
Gambhir attributed the loss to his batters' inability to handle pressure.
Critics' Arguments
Critics like Harbhajan Singh and Irfan Pathan suggested the team's skills against spin have declined. Cheteshwar Pujara and Ajinkya Rahane argued that a better wicket would have improved India's chances and suggested freeing up batters for the low chase, contrasting current tactics with those during Virat Kohli's captaincy when teams built scoreboard pressure.
Team's Decision-Making
Gautam Gambhir's Defense
Gambhir implied the batters were at fault.
Critics' Arguments
Anil Kumble questioned tactical decisions, specifically captain Rishabh Pant not starting the day with Jasprit Bumrah, calling India 'outdone' by South Africa.
- Match Result
- India lost to South Africa by 30 runs at Eden Gardens.
- Match Duration
- 3 days
- First Innings Scores
- India: 189, South Africa: 159
- Second Innings Scores
- South Africa: 153, India: 93
- Target for India
- 125 runs
- Notable Historical Stat
- First Test match in India where no team scored over 200 in four innings.
- Head Coach
- Gautam Gambhir
- Former India Captains' Views
- Cheteshwar Pujara, Ajinkya Rahane, Harbhajan Singh, Anil Kumble, Irfan Pathan.
Sources
Sourav Ganguly blames Gautam Gambhir & Co amid Eden Gardens pitch outcry; ‘this pitch is what the Indian camp wanted’
IND vs SA: Anil Kumble ‘confused’ by Gautam Gambhir’s comments that Eden Gardens pitch was exactly what India wanted
India-South Africa Test Enters Record Books, Becomes First Match in 24361 Days To Achieve Shocking Record
This Is Exactly...: Gautam Gambhir Reacts After India Suffer Shocking Defeat In 1st Test vs South Africa
Dhruv Jurel's Huge Streak Ends After India Suffer Shocking Defeat Against South Africa In 1st Test
The spill of excellence is gone: Backlash erupts as India slip to 30-run loss at Eden Gardens
‘This is exactly the pitch we wanted; if you don’t play well, this is what happens: India head coach Gautam Gambhir dismisses talks surrounding Eden pitch after collapse
IND vs SA, 1st Test: 'You want to be part of...', says SA skipper Temba Bavuma after emphatic win
IND vs SA: Gambhir refuses to blame pitch for India's disappointing loss, says 'it was exactly what we asked'
Maharaj hints at what really sparked Eden upset
Sourav Ganguly Blames The Indian Camp For Eden Gardens Pitch Conditions
'Use feet, play sweep': Former spin maestro decodes where Indian batters failed in shocking South Africa defeat
Temba Bavuma Opens Up On South Africa's Historic Win Over India In Kolkata Test: 'These Are The Moments You Want To Be A Part Of'
Gautam Gambhir Brushes Off Eden Gardens Pitch Controversy After South Africa Humiliate India: 'This Is Exactly What We Asked For'
How India's Turning Pitch Gamble Backfired
Dale Steyn counters Gambhir’s Eden Gardens pitch defence: ‘Any Test that finishes in 3 days has demons in it, for sure’
Not giving first over to Bumrah questionable: Kumble
Anil Kumble Reacts To Head Coach Gautam Gambhir's Comments Regarding The Eden Gardens Pitch
‘I hope Gautam Gambhir is listening’: Sourav Ganguly offers advice to India coach after 30-run loss to South Africa in Kolkata Test
Gautam Gambhir Provides Crucial Medical Update On Shubman Gill Following India's Defeat In Kolkata Test: 'He's Being Assessed'
Sourav Ganguly says Gautam Gambhir and co responsible for Kolkata pitch: 'Curator can't be blamed'
Temba Bavuma: ‘Spin-wise, track was little bit on extreme side….tricky to trust bounce… some balls bounced nicely, others were squatting’
AB de Villiers, Faf du Plessis Celebrate South Africa's Historic Test Victory Over India At Eden Gardens
Stunning defeat against South Africa rekindles ghosts of Kiwi whitewash, will get India thinking on their strengths
Former cricketers slam India’s team selection strategy after shock collapse in 124-run chase
'No excuse': Ganguly blasts India's 124-run chase flop
Betting racket busted at Eden Gardens, three arrested - Telegraph India
Winner: Calcuttans' love for cricket, Eden witnessed sporty fans on weekend morning - Telegraph India
'You Deserve To Lose': Michael Vaughan’s Stinging Attack On India After Hosts Crumble On Kolkata Rank Turner
India’s Test cricket slump on turning pitches raises questions over Gambhir’s strategy - Telegraph India
Sourav Ganguly clarifies Eden pitch was team-driven and urges India to have faith in fast bowlers - Telegraph India
Gautam Gambhir rejects pitch excuses as India confront home Test batting concerns - Telegraph India
No Demons? Anil Kumble, Dale Steyn Explode After Gautam Gambhir Defends Nightmare Pitch
Vaughan, Jaffer tear into Gambhir, Team India management after Eden Gardens shocker: ‘You deserve to lose’
IND vs SA, 1st Test: Former pacer Venkatesh Prasad calls out 'over-tactical thinking' for loss
‘This move will affect his bowling’: Dinesh Karthik warns Team India against Washington Sundar’s switch to No. 3
India's Predicted Playing XI For 2nd Test at Guwahati vs South Africa if Shubman Gill is Fit; Sai Sudarshan For Washington Sundar
'When Virat Was Captain...': Head Coach Gautam Gambhir Reminded Of 2016-17 Home Season After South Africa Trap India In Their Own 'Pitch Ploy'
Shubman Gill OUT, RCB Star IN? India's Likely Playing XI For 2nd Test Against South Africa
India exposed! Kolkata pitch humiliates top order
'Bring Back Mohammed Shami': Sourav Ganguly Tells Gautam Gambhir After South Africa Drubbing
Sourav Ganguly advocates for Mohammed Shami's comeback in Tests after Kolkata loss; ‘I hope Gautam Gambhir is listening’
‘When Virat Kohli was captain they used to score big..’: Gautam Gambhir’s India leaving too much to chance, says ex-IPL teammate
Why Gambhir Should Bring Back Kohli-Era Style Pitches
India’s Spin Gamble Backfires Again At Eden Gardens: Will Guwahati Pitch Bring Relief Or More Trouble?
Ganguly urges Gambhir to recall Shami to Test squad
Why Kolkata Test Win Is Special For South Africa
R Ashwin Holds Indian Batters Accountable For Kolkata Test Defeat To South Africa: 'Most Western Teams Are Better At Playing Spin'
Sourav Ganguly advises Gautam Gambhir to bring Shami back and play on 'good pitches' after humiliation in Kolkata
They have completely destroyed Test cricket: Harbhajan
Former Indian Player Points Out Major Tactical Blunder Following Ind vs SA Test Loss
Most Western Teams Are Better Than India in Playing Spin: Ravichandran Ashwin
IND vs SA: Former India Captain Offers Strategic Advice To Gautam Gambhir After Kolkata Test Defeat, Advocates Mohammed Shami's Return
Bavuma Agrees India Were Outplayed in Familiar Conditions at Eden Test
They Have Completely Destroyed Test Cricket: Harbhajan After India's Loss to South Africa
‘Sab darr ke khel rahe hain’: Former India batter claims insecurity within Test team under Gautam Gambhir
Denial And Over-Experimentation, Indian Team Management Turns Blind Eye To India's Biggest Concern In Tests Since 2024
'Sab Darr Ke...': Ex-India Star Slams Gautam Gambhir Fueling 'Insecurity'
'When Virat Took Over...': Gambhir Told To Look In Mirror Amidst Fresh Kohli Reminder
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