The first Test between India and South Africa, starting from November 14 at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, is set to be an exciting match. After six years, Eden Gardens is hosting a Test match, and the pitch will reportedly challenge the batsmen while providing plenty for the fast bowlers.
As per ESPNCricinfo report, the black clay surface at Eden Gardens has lost most of its living grass just four days before the match, and only a small layer is expected to remain by the time the two-match Test series begins.
Eden Gardens set to be a fast bowler’s paradise for India vs South Africa 1st Test
It is being said that the pitch will have good bounce in the beginning, but by the middle of the match the pitch will start slowing down. This means the batsmen will enjoy some scoring in the first session, but patience and technique will be important as the ball will start behaving differently later on.
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Unlike the flat pitch at Delhi’s Arun Jaitley Stadium during the second Test between India and West Indies, Eden Gardens is expected to offer more movement and bounce, making it far from an easy pitch for the first Test against South Africa.
Historically, Kolkata has been a venue for fast bowlers. Over the last 15 years, 61% of the wickets at this ground have been taken by fast bowlers, with 97 wickets taken in six Tests. The pitch at Eden Gardens is likely to become increasingly rough, creating ideal conditions for reverse swing.
Toss will not decide the outcome of Kolkata Test
And then the cooler temperatures of the morning and late evening may also help the fast bowlers take the ball sideways, adding another challenge for the batsmen.
This suggests that the spinners will get little assistance, contrary to India’s reputation for producing turners.
Well, the fast outfield at Eden Gardens will allow the batsmen to score runs in the early stages, but as the pitch slows down, it will become difficult to take every run.
This means that the toss cannot decide the game as dramatically as it sometimes does, as both the batsmen and bowlers have the chance to influence the match.
After India’s 3-0 defeat to New Zealand last year, the Indian cricket team is hoping to avoid preparing tracks that take a lot of turns in Kolkata and Guwahati.
It seems that the Eden Gardens surface will give an edge to the fast bowlers while giving the skillful batsmen a chance to make their mark.
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After successful tour of Pakistan, South Africa eyes victory in Kolkata
Meanwhile, South Africa are gearing up for their fourth Test at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. They won their first Test in Kolkata in 1996 but lost their last two in 2004 and 2010.
The most recent Test at this venue was in 2019, when India defeated Bangladesh in a pink-ball day-night match.
The last Test match in Kolkata was against Sri Lanka in 2017, which ended in a draw. After a strong performance in Rawalpindi, the Proteas came to India, where they leveled the Test series against Pakistan.
That series was played on spin-friendly pitches, which helped South Africa’s spinners shine.
Senuran Muthusamy was Player of the Series, Keshav Maharaj produced a Player of the Match performance in Rawalpindi, and Simon Harmer finished the Test series as the second-highest wicket-taker in the Pakistan series. Their spin attack is in top form, but India planned to spoil their strategy.
