Overview
- Head coach Gautam Gambhir acknowledged India asked for a turning surface at Eden Gardens, while CAB chief Sourav Ganguly said the pitch was not watered for four days at the hosts’ request.
- The Test ended inside three days as India were bowled out for 93 chasing 124, with South Africa’s spinners led by Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj controlling key passages.
- Former players and coaches, including Sunil Gavaskar and Jason Gillespie, urged curator independence and more balanced pitches, with Gavaskar also linking India’s batting issues to players skipping Ranji Trophy games.
- India trained in Kolkata before departing for Guwahati, with Gambhir seen in a cordial exchange with curator Sujan Mukherjee as the team recalibrated plans after the defeat.
- Captain Shubman Gill sustained a neck spasm, was treated in hospital, and is unlikely to travel; selectors are weighing options such as Sai Sudharsan, Ruturaj Gaikwad, Abhimanyu Easwaran or Sarfaraz Khan for the finale on November 22.