Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) president Sourav Ganguly has confirmed that India cricket team haven’t requested for a spin-friendly pitch for the IND vs SA 1st Test. Shubman Gill and co. will take on the Proteas in the second Test series at home from November 14 onwards, with the Eden Gardens in Kolkata scheduled to host the 1st Test. Ahead of the match, Ganguly clarified that there were no demands placed from the Indian side with respect to the surface.
IND vs SA 1st Test to be a five-day contest?
As per Times of India, CAB president Sourav Ganguly claimed that the Indian team management has not requested for a rank-turner at Eden Gardens thus far. The former Indian captain remarked that the surface was a ‘good one’ after taking a look at it on Monday evening. Even in the previous series against West Indies, there seemed to be no spin-friendly pitches as India seemed to have learnt their lesson after the series defeat against New Zealand last year.
“They haven’t asked for it yet. It looks a very good one,” Ganguly said.
Meanwhile, an expert told the publication that the IND vs SA 1st Test wouldn’t be a three-day affair and would instead span across five days. The expert claimed that cracks were likely to emerge as the game progresses and that this would aid reverse swing, something Bumrah would relish. Further, the expert claimed that the pitch is bound to be batter-friendly. The IND vs SA series will mark India’s third in the ongoing World Test Championship (WTC 2025/27) cycle and Shubman Gill’s second at home.
“Cracks are likely to appear here quite early, making the ball rough as the game progresses. That should help reverse swing, something that Bumrah will relish. The wicket has consistent bounce and that will help the batters. In fact, it has all the markings of a good batting wicket,” the source said.
