Kolkata's Eden Gardens is under scrutiny ahead of the first Test between India and South Africa, with captain Shubman Gill expressing concerns about the pitch. The Indian team's think tank, including head coach Gautam Gambhir, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, and bowling coach Morne Morkel, engaged in lengthy discussions with curator Sujan Mukherjee, sparking speculation about the playing surface.
Following a three-hour training session on Tuesday, Gill and Morkel conducted a thorough inspection of the wicket, later summoning Mukherjee for a 15-minute conversation. According to reports, their expressions suggested that the team management wasn't entirely pleased with the surface. The pitch appeared dry and brown with light grass patches, having been left unwatered for a week.
Adding to the drama, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Sourav Ganguly stepped in, inspecting the pitch himself and conferring with Mukherjee. Ganguly, however, clarified that the Indian team had not requested a "rank turner" for the series opener. He stated that he could not comment on the pitch because the team hadn't asked for a rank turner yet, but that it looked like a very good surface.
Mukherjee echoed Ganguly's sentiment, suggesting the wicket would be sporting, offering assistance to both batters and bowlers, with the possibility of spin coming into play from the third day. He also mentioned that Gambhir inquired about spin assistance during his inspection.
The condition of the Eden Gardens pitch has been a talking point, especially considering the two Ranji Trophy matches played there earlier this season. These matches saw slower pitches that offered minimal assistance to fast bowlers. Even Bengal's pace attack struggled initially against Uttarakhand until Mohammed Shami's spell changed their fortunes.
Despite the concerns, Gill has been putting in extra effort to prepare for the Test series. He spent considerable time in the nets, focusing on his technique and facing both spin and pace. Gill had a long discussion with Gambhir and Kotak near the High Court End, seemingly reviewing his batting approach. He also worked on playing along the ground against spinners like Ravindra Jadeja and Washington Sundar, and later faced Jasprit Bumrah and other seamers.
South Africa, the reigning World Test Champions, possess a well-rounded attack, including a formidable spin trio of Keshav Maharaj, Simon Harmer, and Senuran Muthusamy, who performed well in their recent series against Pakistan. This Test marks Eden Gardens' return to Test cricket after six years, with the last match being India's first day-night Test against Bangladesh in November 2019.
