November 18, 2025 : After India’s dramatic 30-run defeat to South Africa in the first Test at Eden Gardens, head coach Gautam Gambhir made headlines for more than just the loss — he publicly defended the ground curator, insisting that the pitch behaved exactly as the Indian team had requested. While many pundits and fans raised questions about the uneven bounce and turn, Gambhir stood firm, saying there were “no demons in this wicket.
In his post-match press conference, Gambhir praised the curator — identified in reports as Sujan Mukherjee — as “very helpful” and argued that the surface was precisely what India had asked for.According to him, it was a pitch designed to test technique and temperament, rather than being overly dangerous. “This is exactly the pitch we were looking for … when you don’t play well, this is what happens,” he said.
Gambhir’s comments come amid growing criticism of the Eden surface, which produced sharp turn, variable bounce, and a match that ended inside three days. Some critics argued that the pitch was unplayable or even “hostile,” but Gambhir rejected those claims: “It was not unplayable … if you have a solid defence and temperament, you could score runs,” he insisted.
He cited examples of players who applied themselves in the challenging conditions, mentioning Temba Bavuma, Axar Patel, and Washington Sundar as batters who managed to score despite the difficult surface.According to him, the pitch rewarded those who showed patience — whereas those who tried to play aggressively paid the price.
Gambhir also pushed back against the narrative that India lost solely because of the pitch. He emphasized that the defeat was a collective failure, not just a batting collapse. “We win together and lose together,” he said, urging the team to learn and improve rather than blame the curator or surface.
This defence has sparked a wider debate. Many fans have criticized Gambhir, suggesting he’s deflecting blame from the batters to the conditions. Others, however, view his honest assessment as a mature and tactical response — acknowledging the importance of mental strength in Test cricket, especially on turning tracks.
Gambhir’s stance also brings into focus the role of team management in pitch preparation. By admitting that India asked for turning conditions, he highlighted how closely team strategy can be tied to pitch choices. Whether this will silence pitch critics remains to be seen, but for now, Gambhir’s backing of the curator is a strong public vote of confidence.
Summary
After India lost a Test in Kolkata, coach Gautam Gambhir defended the Eden Gardens curator, saying the pitch was exactly what they requested, calling it fair and not unplayable.