The cricketing community continues to be abuzz following India’s unexpected 30-run defeat to South Africa at Eden Gardens, with much of the focus turning to the pitch, which heavily favours spin bowling. While critics and fans have questioned the suitability of the surface, Indian pacer Bhuvneshwar Kumar has stepped in to defend the conditions, insisting that there is no reason to blame the pitch for India’s setback.
In a detailed conversation with the Press Trust of India (PTI), Bhuvneshwar explained that spin-friendly pitches have long been a feature in India’s cricketing landscape and that there has never been an outcry when the home side wins on such tracks. “This is not the first time a spin-friendly pitch has been prepared. No one raised these questions when India won. Winning and losing are part of the game. It’s not as if India has never lost before or that this is the first time we have lost. For me, the loss is not a major concern,” he said.
The 35-year-old fast bowler also addressed the debate surrounding the decision to play four spinners, asserting that it was a tactical choice in line with the pitch conditions. “With the way the pitch was prepared, we all knew that four spinners—Axar Patel, Ravichandran Ashwin, Kuldeep Yadav, and Washington Sundar—were needed. We had some good spinners, and the ball was turning. Based on the conditions, playing four spinners was a good decision,” Bhuvneshwar explained.
Former Indian captain Sourav Ganguly, however, offered a contrasting view. In a candid interview, he remarked that while the loss was unfortunate, the pitch itself was substandard for Test cricket. “There’s no debate here. The pitch was not good for Test cricket. Unfortunately, India lost. However, they should have won by scoring 120 runs,” Ganguly stated, acknowledging the team’s effort while highlighting the need for better-prepared surfaces.
Looking forward, India will take on South Africa in Guwahati next Saturday in the second Test of the two-match series. With captain Shubman Gill potentially sidelined due to a neck injury, the team faces increased pressure to rebound from Eden Gardens. The upcoming match will test India’s adaptability and resilience on pitches that continue to spark debate.
For Bhuvneshwar, the focus remains on the game rather than the complaints. His defence of spin-friendly surfaces emphasises that cricket is as much about strategy as it is about conditions. Fans and analysts alike will be watching keenly to see whether India can turn the tables in Guwahati and prove that victories are possible regardless of the pitch.