The first Test match between India and South Africa played in Kolkata ended within three days. South Africa, captained by Temba Bavuma, defended a target of just 123 runs and won by 30 runs. The match saw significant assistance for both fast bowlers and spinners, sparking a major controversy regarding the pitch.
India's head coach Gautam Gambhir, however, refused to question the pitch and said that the wicket was exactly what the team wanted. Now, Cricket Association of Bengal president and former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly has also issued a statement on the matter. He has given specific advice to Gambhir and the team management. Ganguly said that the team management did not need to prepare such a one-sided pitch. The Indian team management should also have confidence in its fast bowlers.
Ganguly's big revelation
In an interview with India Today, Ganguly revealed that coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management had asked the curator to prepare such a pitch. Ganguly said, "There is no controversy in this." It wasn't the best Test pitch, but India should have scored 120 runs. Gambhir himself had said he wanted a pitch like that and even instructed the curator. Under coach Gambhir's supervision, the Indian team once again made the same mistake they made during the three-match home Test series against New Zealand. India prepared spin-friendly pitches in all three matches, and India lost the series 3-0. Team India didn't learn anything from that series and lost the fourth of the last six home Tests.
'Gambhir will have to change some things'
After the match, Gambhir admitted in the press conference that the pitch was exactly what the Indian team wanted, but Ganguly disagreed. He said, "I respect Gambhir a lot. He has performed brilliantly for India in England, ODIs, and T20s. But we should play on good, balanced pitches." Ganguly also advised Gambhir to trust his bowlers, especially match-winners like Jasprit Bumrah and Mohammed Siraj. He said, "We should have faith in Bumrah, Siraj, and Shami. Our spinners also win Tests. There's no need to make the pitch so one-sided."
"Win Test matches in five days, not three."
Ganguly finally gave Gambhir an important message. He said, "Win Test matches in five days, not three." Ganguly's statement makes it clear that he wants India to play on pitches that provide equal opportunities for both batsmen and bowlers, so that the game remains exciting and the team learns to win in balanced conditions.
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