India head coach Gautam Gambhir defended the pitch at Eden Gardens after the hosts slipped to a 30 run defeat to South Africa in the first Test, their first home loss to the visitors in 15 years and their first defeat at the venue in 13 years.
India were well placed at the end of Day 2 with South Africa at 93 for 7 and leading by only 63. But a crucial stand between Temba Bavuma who made 55 and Corbin Bosch who made 25 added 60 more runs early on Day 3. The chase of 124 proved difficult for India who collapsed against the visiting attack.
Gautam Gambhir said the pitch was exactly what the team had asked for. He said the curator had been supportive and that India simply did not play well enough. He said players must know how to handle turn and that 124 was still a chaseable target if batters showed solid defence and patience.
He said it was not the sort of wicket for flamboyant hitting but one where runs were possible for those willing to apply themselves.
A 32-run stand between Dhruv Jurel and Washington Sundar was India’s highest partnership in the second innings. Gambhir said the inability to build longer stands cost them the match. He said a partnership of 40 to 50 runs at the right time could have shifted the momentum.
He said the game often comes down to absorbing pressure and breaking the target into smaller parts.
Attention now moves to the second Test in Guwahati from November 22. India will monitor the fitness of captain Shubman Gill, who left the field on Day 2 with a neck injury. Gambhir said the physios were assessing him and that a decision would be taken soon.
