IND vs SA: India asked for spin-friendly pitch for first test against South Africa, reveals Eden Gardens pitch curator

The first IND vs SA test will be played from November 14 at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata.

The first test between Indian Cricket Team and South Africa Cricket Team will commence on November 14 (Friday) at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata. Ahead of the encounter, the pitch curator of the venue Sujan Mukherjee revealed that Indian team management has asked for a spin-friendly pitch. He also revealed that the pitch at the Eden Gardens will offer assistance to both batters and bowlers.

His statement arrives a few days after the Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly informed that the Eden Gardens pitch will not be a rank-turner. The pitch will be the focus during the test series against South Africa, who are expected to give a big challenge to Shubman Gill & Co. at home.

The Indian Cricket Team arrived in Kolkata on Sunday to prepare for the opening game. On Tuesday, India head coach Gautam Gambhir, captain Shubman Gill, batting coach Sitanshu Kotak, and bowling coach Morne Morkel inspected the Eden Gardens pitch. According to reports, Gambhir also had a lengthy chat with pitch curator Mukherjee regarding the condition of the pitch.

India asked for a bit of turn: Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee

In an interview with India Today, Mukherjee revealed that India asked for a bit of a spin-friendly wicket at the Eden Gardens for the first test. He also added that the pitch will have bounce and will offer help to both batters and bowlers.

“The pitch will be good. It will be a good sporting wicket. As the days progress, there will be turn. There will be bounce. But everybody – batter, bowler – there is something for everybody on this pitch,” Mukherjee said.

“The chat with the team like every home team. See, if you go to Australia, there will be bounce. Likewise, Indian teams ask for a bit of turn. Not much, but they ask for a bit of turn,” he added.

When asked if the rank turners could haunt India, the curator replied, “How can I say that? Those who play will be able to tell this. Our job is to prepare the pitch and try to give a good pitch. I hope people who watch the match enjoy the contest between bat and ball.”

Notably, India are coming off 2-0 test series win against the West Indies last month on pitches that were not rank turners. The series against South Africa will be India’s third series in the ongoing ICC World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27. With a win percentage of 61.90, India grab the third spot in the ICC WTC 2025-27 points table.

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