South Africa’s 30-run victory over India within the opening Check at Eden Gardens has ignited a fierce debate over pitch circumstances, with Dale Steyn delivering one of many strongest criticisms. Whereas India coach Gautam Gambhir insisted the wicket had ‘no demons,’ Steyn immediately contradicted him, describing the floor as unpredictable, uneven, and very troublesome for batting. His remarks have added recent depth to discussions round pitch preparation after the match ended inside three days.
Dale Steyn calls out ‘demons’ in Eden Gardens pitch
Reacting to India’s collapse whereas chasing 124, Steyn strongly disagreed with Gambhir’s defence of the wicket. He pointed to a number of situations the place the ball behaved abnormally — spinning sharply previous the bat one second, taking pictures low or skidding onto the pads the subsequent. Steyn defined that such inconsistencies go away batters with no practical scoring choices, forcing them into pure defence.
“He mentioned there weren’t demons within the pitch? I actually noticed quite a bit. When batters don’t have the choice to attain runs, the applying of defence turns into the most important key. That itself means batting is admittedly troublesome,” mentioned Steyn on JioHotstar.
He singled out Temba Bavuma and Washington Sundar as the one gamers who confirmed strong software however added that even they appeared weak all through the match.
“Even they appeared like they might have gotten out at any time; a ball had their quantity. This wicket actually has demons in it. Any Check match that finishes inside three days has acquired some demons for positive,” added Steyn.
Additionally READ: Gautam Gambhir shuts down pitch debate after India’s shock defeat in Kolkata Test against South Africa
How South Africa outplayed India in Kolkata Check
Regardless of being bowled out for 159 of their first innings, South Africa fought again by disciplined bowling and composed batting below difficult circumstances. India managed 189 in response however didn’t construct a big lead.
The match’s turning level got here within the third innings when South Africa posted 153, using on captain Bavuma’s resilient unbeaten 55, the one half-century within the Check. His means to learn the circumstances and play late proved decisive.
Chasing 124, India had been anticipated to seal the sport, however the South African assault delivered a masterclass in self-discipline and persistence. The Indian prime order fell to a mixture of sharp flip and uneven bounce, dropping wickets in clusters. With captain Shubman Gill unavailable to bat resulting from a neck harm, the center order lacked stability and folded for 93 in simply 35 overs.
Seamers and spinners shared the spoils, however the standout issue was South Africa’s relentless stress and readability in studying the circumstances higher than the hosts. The victory marked South Africa’s first Check win in India in 15 years and gave them a 1–0 lead within the two-match sequence.
Additionally READ: Fans erupt as South Africa end 15-year drought with stunning win over India in the first Test
