Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has delivered a searing critique of the pitch at Kolkata’s Eden Gardens, declaring that even cricketing greats such as Sachin Tendulkar or Virat Kohli would have struggled to survive on such a surface. His comments came after two days of bewildering cricket in which 26 wickets tumbled and not a single top-order batter from either side managed to surpass 40 in the opening innings.
On Day 3, South Africa were dismissed for a paltry 153 in their second innings, following a first-innings total of just 159. India’s response was equally disappointing, collapsing for 189 in their initial innings. From the very first delivery, bowlers thrived on a pitch that offered sharp turn, unpredictable bounce, and low deliveries that repeatedly deceived even the most experienced batters.
South African skipper Temba Bavuma was the lone batter to reach a half-century in the match’s third innings, highlighting the extreme difficulty faced by all players.
Speaking on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan did not hold back. “Within two days, you can see exactly where this match is heading. It feels like someone has written ‘RIP Test cricket’ on this pitch. The format loses its charm on surfaces like this,” he said.
He contrasted these conditions with India’s triumphant performances in England earlier this year. “That’s the kind of Test cricket that matters—conditions that challenge players, contests that test skills, matches that reward grit. Not this nightmare pitch,” he added.
Harbhajan emphasised that technique becomes almost meaningless on such wickets. “The ball can pitch in one place and spin from another. Batters have no clue how to play it. Even legends like Virat or Sachin wouldn’t survive consistently here. Some deliveries stay low, some bounce randomly, many turn absurdly. It’s ridiculous,” he said.
He went further, accusing curators of turning the game into a farce. “This has been happening for years. Wickets like this make Test cricket look meaningless. Honestly, it’s rubbish.”
The former spinner’s remarks have ignited a fiery debate across Indian cricket circles, with critics questioning whether ultra-bowler-friendly pitches benefit the sport in the long term.