The Mahabharata mentions a weapon Tvashtra which, when hurled, supposedly made enemies turn on each other. Watching how Gautam Gambhir and company used the Eden pitch, that weapon inevitably comes to mind. The pitch created to extract turn ended up becoming a boomerang for India. Simon Harmer looked better than world-class. Ultimately, India were trapped on their own “tailor-made” pitch.
The pitch prepared as per Gambhir & Co.’s demand for turn ended up hurting Team India. Chasing just 124 runs against South Africa at Eden Gardens, Rishabh Pant and his team were bundled out for only 93. India lost by 30 runs to Harmer’s spin. Test cricket returned to Eden after six years with a lot of excitement, but what remains now is India’s humiliating defeat and a storm of debate over the pitch.
The trouble began on Day 1 itself. South African captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and chose to bat. India had four spinners along with Bumrah and Siraj. South Africa collapsed quickly, bowled out for just 159 on the opening day. Aiden Markram top-scored with 31. Jasprit Bumrah took five wickets. It seemed India were on course for an easy win. Even Bavuma’s decision to bat first was questioned.
But India fell into the same trap. Captain Shubman Gill couldn’t bat due to a neck injury. KL Rahul was India’s top scorer with 39. Marco Jansen took 3 wickets, Harmer 4. India led by only 30 runs—an early sign that the match wouldn’t last more than three days.
South Africa then showed why they are world champions. Bavuma’s gritty 55 was exemplary—especially for India’s young players who struggle against spin. Questions also arise: why didn’t Washington Sundar bowl at all in the second innings?
South Africa were all out for 153, setting India a target of 124. On a normal day, this would be labelled “just 124.” But on this Eden pitch, paired with India’s recent struggles against spin, it became a mountain. The ball was turning sharply more than anyone anticipated. Under pressure, Jaiswal and Rahul fell quickly. India were 1 for 2, and the match was virtually decided there.
Washington Sundar fought with 31. Dhruv Jurel threw his wicket away for 13. Stand-in captain Pant made just 2. Jadeja’s LBW was unlucky but he never looked comfortable. Axar Patel tried to counterattack with boundaries but fell for 26. India were bowled out for 93 another number deserving the prefix “just.”
Harmer took 4 wickets in the second innings as well. Jansen and Maharaj picked two each; Markram got one.
Another number that deserves “just” is Gautam Gambhir’s record as Test coach. His four wins have come only against Bangladesh and West Indies. After last year’s thrashing of New Zealand, India have now lost the first Test to South Africa. In the post Kohli-Rohit era, even home Test defeats raise a serious question: who is to blame?
