Ganguly-Gambhir spat erupts after India's crushing defeat in Eden test: Sourav blames team management for pitch debacle

Mumbai (The Uttam Hindu): Team India suffered a crushing 30-run defeat against South Africa in the first Test match played at Eden Gardens in Kolkata. The match, which ended in three days, raised numerous questions about the team management's strategy, the pitch preparation, and the players' performance. Following the defeat, Indian head coach Gautam Gambhir and former captain Sourav Ganguly publicly clashed, further deepening the controversy.

Ganguly's attack – "Tests should last five days, not three"

Former India captain and BCCI president Sourav Ganguly raised serious questions about the team's strategy and pitch selection. Ganguly sharply remarked, "Gambhir should learn to trust his players. Test matches last five days, not three. I hope he's listening to me." His statement has sparked debate in the cricketing world about whether the Indian team is giving foreign teams an edge by relying on excessively turning pitches.

Gambhir's counter-attack: "The pitch was exactly what we asked for"

Head coach Gautam Gambhir clarified all questions about the pitch and also indirectly responded to Ganguly's comments. Gambhir said at a press conference, "The pitch was exactly what we asked for. The claim that it's unplayable is false. The Eden wicket tests mental strength, and batsmen with good defense scored runs." He praised curator Sujan Mukherjee for his support and described the pitch as "competitive."

South Africa won by 30 runs. After captain Temba Bavuma's fighting half-century, veteran off-spinner Simon Harmer's magic of swinging balls on the dangerous Eden Gardens pitch helped South Africa beat India by 30 runs on the third day of the first Test cricket match here on Sunday and register its first win in 15 years on Indian soil. India had a target of 124 runs but its team was all out for 93 runs in 35 overs. With this, South Africa took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series. Indian captain Shubman Gill did not come out to bat due to neck stiffness.