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Gambhir Stands by Eden Gardens Pitch as Kumble, Steyn and Ashwin Disagree

Competing assessments of the Kolkata surface have pushed preparation standards to the forefront before the Guwahati Test.

Overview

  • After a three-day, 30-run defeat to South Africa, Gautam Gambhir said the Eden Gardens wicket had "no demons" and was "exactly the pitch we were looking for," crediting curator Sujan Mukherjee.
  • Anil Kumble said he had never seen an Eden Gardens Test pitch behave like this over three days and questioned seeking such conditions for a young India side.
  • Dale Steyn described balls spinning past the bat and others skidding through pads in succession, calling batting options severely limited.
  • Ravichandran Ashwin called the surface "quite dangerous," said proper preparation went awry, and rejected labeling the wicket a simple turner for that venue.
  • CAB president Sourav Ganguly said the pitch was left unwatered for four days at India's request, with attention now on how Guwahati prepares for the second Test on November 22.