ICC rates Eden Gardens pitch for IND-SA Test as 'satisfactory'

The International Cricket Council (ICC) has rated the Eden Gardens pitch in Kolkata as satisfactory. The venue hosted the first Test between India and South Africa from November 14, and the match ended inside three days, with India losing to the tourists. However, there was no condemnation of the surface.

"This is exactly the pitch we were looking for. This is exactly the pitch And I feel that the curator was very, very helpful. And this is exactly what we wanted. And this is exactly what we got. When you don't play well, this is what happens," India coach Gautam Gambhir had said after his side lost by 30 runs, failing to chase 124. Batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, however, had contradicted Gambhir upon arriving in Guwahati - the venue of the second Test, stating that nobody wanted a pitch like the one in Kolkata.

The pitch offered sharp turn from the first day, and South African off-spinner Simon Harmer was named Player of the Match for his match figures of eight for 51. The Indian spinners, however, could not make the same impact, leading to a shock defeat for the Shubman Gill-led side.

Sourav Ganguly criticised the Indian team management for opting for such a surface. The former India captain felt that the team was talented enough to succeed on sporting rather than overly assistance-based pitches. He said: "Play on good wickets. I hope Gautam Gambhir is listening. I have got a lot of regard for him... but he must play on good wickets. Because he has got (Jasprit) Bumrah, (Mohammed) Siraj, (Mohammed) Shami, Kuldeep (Yadav) and (Ravindra) Jadeja."

The second and final Test in Guwahati was played on a significantly better surface, and the match lasted all five days. However, India ended up losing that Test as well, conceding the series 0-2. The pitch at that venue was rated very good.