Another Test match in the subcontinent has sparked a fresh pitch controversy, with the India vs South Africa opener in Kolkata heading for a finish in under three days. Neither side managed to score 200 in any of the four innings, igniting widespread debate among fans and experts about the surface prepared by Eden Gardens curator Sujan Mukherjee. However, former India captain and current CAB president Sourav Ganguly shifted attention back to the Gautam Gambhir-led Indian team management.

In a major revelation, Ganguly stated that the pitch was prepared exactly as requested by the Indian camp, leaving no reason to blame curator Mukherjee. He further disclosed that the surface hadn’t been watered for four days leading up to the Test, which naturally caused it to deteriorate quickly.

“The pitch is what the Indian camp wanted. This is what happens when you don’t water it for four days. Curator Sujan Mukherjee is not at fault,” Ganguly said in a recent interaction.

Reactions have poured in since Day 2. Former India wicketkeeper Dinesh Karthik added another detail, saying the pitch was not watered the night before the match, which hastened its breakdown. Meanwhile, ex-South Africa pacer Vernon Philander urged everyone to focus on the players rather than the surface, saying Test cricket is about adapting.

South Africa’s batting coach Ashwell Prince admitted the pitch had shaken the players’ confidence: “You can’t fully commit to a shot when the ball unexpectedly shoots up or stays low.”

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With the ICC likely to hand a “poor” rating and possible demerit points to Eden Gardens, former India spinner Harbhajan Singh didn’t mince words, warning that such pitches could spell doom for Test cricket.

“If we keep producing surfaces like this, Test cricket won’t need opponents to die—we’ll destroy it ourselves,” he said.