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Cricket fans angry over Eden Gardens' poor pitch; Jadeja's 4 wickets put India ahead
Kolkata: The second day of the first Test match between India and South Africa witnessed exciting scenes. Ravindra Jadeja's brilliant bowling has troubled the South African batsmen, and the match is heading towards an end on the third day itself. On the other hand, the fall of more than 20 wickets on the Eden Gardens pitch has caused a wave of anger among cricket fans, with many demanding a ban on the ground. This match has not only been a test of the players' skills, but also of the quality of the pitch.
Background to the match and a glimpse of the first day
The first Test match between India and South Africa began on November 14, 2025 at the historic Eden Gardens ground in Kolkata. South African captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and decided to bat first. There was a lot of discussion about the pitch before the match. Curator Sujan Mukherjee had said that it would be a sporting pitch, which would help the fast bowlers on the first day and then the spin bowlers would be inclined. However, as expected, the pitch rained down wickets on the first day itself. South Africa's first innings ended at just 159 runs, with Jasprit Bumrah and other bowlers taking 10 wickets for India. India posted a mammoth 189 runs in reply, which gave them a slim lead of 30 runs. However, South African spinner Simon Harmer quickly dismissed the Indian batsmen to make it 105/3.
The match began with Eden Gardens getting the honour of hosting a Test match after six years. The last Test was against Bangladesh in 2019. This time, India included four spinners - Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar - for the first time since 2012. Captain Shubman Gill said that the formation favoured spin, while the absence of Kagiso Rabada was a big blow for South Africa.
Jadeja's explosive performance on the second day
The second day started promisingly for India. Ravindra Jadeja shone in South Africa's second innings. He took 4 wickets for just 29 runs, sending half of the South African team to the tent. Jadeja's spin made the batsmen dizzy - he dismissed Ryan Rickleton, David Bina and others. With 20 wickets in two days, the match showed the true fun of Test cricket, but the unexpected turns of the pitch gave the batsmen a big shock. Jadeja said after the match, "This pitch is challenging. We used the spin well to take the lead." India have restricted South Africa to 105/3, and the match is likely to end on the morning of the third day. Although Bavuma and Corbin Bosh are not out on 29 and 1 run, the uncertain spin on the pitch has lost its grip.
Along with Jadeja, Axar Patel also took 3 wickets for India, which shows signs of ending South Africa's second innings soon. Although India are 30 runs ahead, the pitch will be a tough one to bat on in the fourth innings. The dry winter conditions in the previous innings have given the pitch more spin than expected, which has led to the match moving at a faster pace.
Eden Gardens pitch controversy; cricket fans furious
While cricket fans are delighted with the excitement of the match, the Eden Gardens pitch has caught everyone's attention. With 27 wickets falling in two days (28 including Gill's retired hurt), the pitch is being called "poor" and "unplayable". Former players like Michael Vaughan have criticised it, calling it "the dreadful pitch in Kolkata", while fans have taken to social media to demand a ban on the ground. "The curators need to be questioned. This is not a Test, it's a game of wickets!" wrote one fan on Twitter. Another said with a smile, "The match will be over before lunch on the third day, but where's the fun?"
Curator Sujan Mukherjee, who had promised a sporting pitch, is being criticised. Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane also expressed his displeasure with the pitch in the 2025 IPL. Irfan Pathan had said before the match, "India has found it. We want a sporting pitch, but also spin for the home team." Sourav Ganguly clarified that India had not asked for a rank turner and said the pitch looked good. However, even after two Ranji matches, the pitch provided more support than expected, which led to controversy. Some fans say, "Modern players have forgotten how to play Tests," while others say, "This pitch is giving cricket a bad name." Match fate and WTC outlook The match is crucial for the 2025-27 World Test Championship. India have won four out of seven matches and are third with a score of 61.90 percent. South Africa drew 1-1 against Pakistan and need a win. India's decision to field Washington Sundar at No. 3 and the absence of Sai Sudarshan are also under discussion. Hanuma Vihari indirectly criticised the management, saying, "The white ball suits them," and criticized the excessive use of all-rounders.
The start of the third day will be crucial. With the pitch getting more spin and variable bounce, the batsmen will need to play aggressively. "One side is straight, the other is spinning. You have to hit the loose balls for boundaries," said Axar Patel. The weather is good, so there is no chance of rain, but the pitch is likely to end the match early.
Kolkata: The second day of the first Test match between India and South Africa witnessed exciting scenes. Ravindra Jadeja's brilliant bowling has troubled the South African batsmen, and the match is heading towards an end on the third day itself. On the other hand, the fall of more than 20 wickets on the Eden Gardens pitch has caused a wave of anger among cricket fans, with many demanding a ban on the ground. This match has not only been a test of the players' skills, but also of the quality of the pitch.
Background to the match and a glimpse of the first day
The first Test match between India and South Africa began on November 14, 2025 at the historic Eden Gardens ground in Kolkata. South African captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and decided to bat first. There was a lot of discussion about the pitch before the match. Curator Sujan Mukherjee had said that it would be a sporting pitch, which would help the fast bowlers on the first day and then the spin bowlers would be inclined. However, as expected, the pitch rained down wickets on the first day itself. South Africa's first innings ended at just 159 runs, with Jasprit Bumrah and other bowlers taking 10 wickets for India. India posted a mammoth 189 runs in reply, which gave them a slim lead of 30 runs. However, South African spinner Simon Harmer quickly dismissed the Indian batsmen to make it 105/3.
The match began with Eden Gardens getting the honour of hosting a Test match after six years. The last Test was against Bangladesh in 2019. This time, India included four spinners - Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar - for the first time since 2012. Captain Shubman Gill said that the formation favoured spin, while the absence of Kagiso Rabada was a big blow for South Africa.
Jadeja's explosive performance on the second day
The second day started promisingly for India. Ravindra Jadeja shone in South Africa's second innings. He took 4 wickets for just 29 runs, sending half of the South African team to the tent. Jadeja's spin made the batsmen dizzy - he dismissed Ryan Rickleton, David Bina and others. With 20 wickets in two days, the match showed the true fun of Test cricket, but the unexpected turns of the pitch gave the batsmen a big shock. Jadeja said after the match, "This pitch is challenging. We used the spin well to take the lead." India have restricted South Africa to 105/3, and the match is likely to end on the morning of the third day. Although Bavuma and Corbin Bosh are not out on 29 and 1 run, the uncertain spin on the pitch has lost its grip.
Along with Jadeja, Axar Patel also took 3 wickets for India, which shows signs of ending South Africa's second innings soon. Although India are 30 runs ahead, the pitch will be a tough one to bat on in the fourth innings. The dry winter conditions in the previous innings have given the pitch more spin than expected, which has led to the match moving at a faster pace.
Eden Gardens pitch controversy; cricket fans furious
While cricket fans are delighted with the excitement of the match, the Eden Gardens pitch has caught everyone's attention. With 27 wickets falling in two days (28 including Gill's retired hurt), the pitch is being called "poor" and "unplayable". Former players like Michael Vaughan have criticised it, calling it "the dreadful pitch in Kolkata", while fans have taken to social media to demand a ban on the ground. "The curators need to be questioned. This is not a Test, it's a game of wickets!" wrote one fan on Twitter. Another said with a smile, "The match will be over before lunch on the third day, but where's the fun?"
Curator Sujan Mukherjee, who had promised a sporting pitch, is being criticised. Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane also expressed his displeasure with the pitch in the 2025 IPL. Irfan Pathan had said before the match, "India has found it. We want a sporting pitch, but also spin for the home team." Sourav Ganguly clarified that India had not asked for a rank turner and said the pitch looked good. However, even after two Ranji matches, the pitch provided more support than expected, which led to controversy. Some fans say, "Modern players have forgotten how to play Tests," while others say, "This pitch is giving cricket a bad name." Match fate and WTC outlook The match is crucial for the 2025-27 World Test Championship. India have won four out of seven matches and are third with a score of 61.90 percent. South Africa drew 1-1 against Pakistan and need a win. India's decision to field Washington Sundar at No. 3 and the absence of Sai Sudarshan are also under discussion. Hanuma Vihari indirectly criticised the management, saying, "The white ball suits them," and criticized the excessive use of all-rounders.
The start of the third day will be crucial. With the pitch getting more spin and variable bounce, the batsmen will need to play aggressively. "One side is straight, the other is spinning. You have to hit the loose balls for boundaries," said Axar Patel. The weather is good, so there is no chance of rain, but the pitch is likely to end the match early.
Background to the match and a glimpse of the first day
The first Test match between India and South Africa began on November 14, 2025 at the historic Eden Gardens ground in Kolkata. South African captain Temba Bavuma won the toss and decided to bat first. There was a lot of discussion about the pitch before the match. Curator Sujan Mukherjee had said that it would be a sporting pitch, which would help the fast bowlers on the first day and then the spin bowlers would be inclined. However, as expected, the pitch rained down wickets on the first day itself. South Africa's first innings ended at just 159 runs, with Jasprit Bumrah and other bowlers taking 10 wickets for India. India posted a mammoth 189 runs in reply, which gave them a slim lead of 30 runs. However, South African spinner Simon Harmer quickly dismissed the Indian batsmen to make it 105/3.
The match began with Eden Gardens getting the honour of hosting a Test match after six years. The last Test was against Bangladesh in 2019. This time, India included four spinners - Ravindra Jadeja, Kuldeep Yadav, Axar Patel and Washington Sundar - for the first time since 2012. Captain Shubman Gill said that the formation favoured spin, while the absence of Kagiso Rabada was a big blow for South Africa.
Jadeja's explosive performance on the second day
The second day started promisingly for India. Ravindra Jadeja shone in South Africa's second innings. He took 4 wickets for just 29 runs, sending half of the South African team to the tent. Jadeja's spin made the batsmen dizzy - he dismissed Ryan Rickleton, David Bina and others. With 20 wickets in two days, the match showed the true fun of Test cricket, but the unexpected turns of the pitch gave the batsmen a big shock. Jadeja said after the match, "This pitch is challenging. We used the spin well to take the lead." India have restricted South Africa to 105/3, and the match is likely to end on the morning of the third day. Although Bavuma and Corbin Bosh are not out on 29 and 1 run, the uncertain spin on the pitch has lost its grip.
Along with Jadeja, Axar Patel also took 3 wickets for India, which shows signs of ending South Africa's second innings soon. Although India are 30 runs ahead, the pitch will be a tough one to bat on in the fourth innings. The dry winter conditions in the previous innings have given the pitch more spin than expected, which has led to the match moving at a faster pace.
Eden Gardens pitch controversy; cricket fans furious
While cricket fans are delighted with the excitement of the match, the Eden Gardens pitch has caught everyone's attention. With 27 wickets falling in two days (28 including Gill's retired hurt), the pitch is being called "poor" and "unplayable". Former players like Michael Vaughan have criticised it, calling it "the dreadful pitch in Kolkata", while fans have taken to social media to demand a ban on the ground. "The curators need to be questioned. This is not a Test, it's a game of wickets!" wrote one fan on Twitter. Another said with a smile, "The match will be over before lunch on the third day, but where's the fun?"
Curator Sujan Mukherjee, who had promised a sporting pitch, is being criticised. Kolkata Knight Riders captain Ajinkya Rahane also expressed his displeasure with the pitch in the 2025 IPL. Irfan Pathan had said before the match, "India has found it. We want a sporting pitch, but also spin for the home team." Sourav Ganguly clarified that India had not asked for a rank turner and said the pitch looked good. However, even after two Ranji matches, the pitch provided more support than expected, which led to controversy. Some fans say, "Modern players have forgotten how to play Tests," while others say, "This pitch is giving cricket a bad name." Match fate and WTC outlook The match is crucial for the 2025-27 World Test Championship. India have won four out of seven matches and are third with a score of 61.90 percent. South Africa drew 1-1 against Pakistan and need a win. India's decision to field Washington Sundar at No. 3 and the absence of Sai Sudarshan are also under discussion. Hanuma Vihari indirectly criticised the management, saying, "The white ball suits them," and criticized the excessive use of all-rounders.
The start of the third day will be crucial. With the pitch getting more spin and variable bounce, the batsmen will need to play aggressively. "One side is straight, the other is spinning. You have to hit the loose balls for boundaries," said Axar Patel. The weather is good, so there is no chance of rain, but the pitch is likely to end the match early.
