The pitch at Eden Gardens has proved to be extremely challenging for the batsmen of India and South Africa in the first Test of the two-match series. It has been difficult to score runs throughout, as both teams have been out within the first two days of the match, raising questions over the curators.
The curator, Sujan Mukherjee, had assured that the surface would be well balanced and spin would matter only towards the end of the match. India chose four spinners, something they had not done since 2012. South Africa had to contend with unexpected bounce, with Jasprit Bumrah taking advantage of the conditions.
India was out for 189 runs in the first innings of Kolkata Test.
India faced a disappointing batting performance on the second day (Saturday, November 15). He struggled to score runs throughout his innings. Despite many players spending time at the crease, no one was able to convert their starts into big scores.
For India, KL Rahul was the top scorer with 39 runs, while Washington Sundar, Rishabh Pant and Ravindra Jadeja scored 20 runs apiece. Hurt captain Shubman Gill did not return to bat after retiring due to neck spasm in the morning session.
Off-spinner Simon Harmer took four wickets, while left-arm fast bowler Marco Jansson took three important wickets. The visiting team bowled out the opposition for 189 runs in 62.2 overs.
The host team was able to achieve a nominal lead of only 30 runs. Harmer started the collapse by dismissing Washington Sundar, who had put on a 57-run partnership with KL Rahul for the second wicket.
KL Rahul’s 39 runs is the lowest ‘top score’ in the first two innings in India.
The innings of KL Rahul (39) has created an unusual record in the ongoing Kolkata Test. Notably, this is the lowest top individual score in the first two innings of a men’s Test played in India. In the challenging conditions of Eden Gardens, no batsman from either side was able to surpass their modest score.
This is the lowest “highest individual score” recorded in the first two innings of any men’s Test worldwide since the 2010 Durban match between India and South Africa.
The Eden Gardens pitch was also inspected during IPL 2025
The pitch at Eden Gardens was also criticized during the IPL 2025 season. This surface has produced many low-scoring matches in the current domestic circuit, with teams crossing the 300-run mark only once in eight innings, raising questions about its balance and consistency.
Earlier in the year, the stadium’s chief curator faced scrutiny following a public disagreement with Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane, who expressed dissatisfaction with the condition of the pitches during the IPL and claimed that they failed to provide any home advantage.
Eden Gardens also faced similar criticism on the international stage, receiving an average rating from the ICC during the 2023 ODI World Cup. The venue hosted major events, including India’s clash with South Africa and the Australia–South Africa semi-final.
Also read: Simon Harmer sent Dhruv Jurel to the pavilion with a brilliant return catch in the Kolkata Test.
