Overview
- India fell 30 runs short at Eden Gardens after being bowled out for 93 while chasing 124, with sharp spin and uneven bounce shaping a three-day finish.
- Sunil Gavaskar argued teams should not influence curators and warned that asking for specific surfaces can backfire.
- Brad Haddin said India’s reliance on turning tracks removes their batting strengths and noted similar failure against New Zealand in Mumbai.
- Analysts contend the early-turn policy meant to reduce toss impact is blunting India’s own advantages and aligns with a string of recent home defeats.
- Shubman Gill sustained a neck injury and is doubtful for the second Test in Guwahati on November 22, with South Africa leading the two-match series 1–0.