Shamik Chakrabarty at Eden Gardens
Question: Has Eden Gardens ever seen a pitch like this for a Test?
Answer: No, at least not in recent memory.
Sample this. In the third over of South Africa’s second innings, after India took a valuable 30-run first innings lead, Jasprit Bumrah landed a delivery a on good length, which took a puff of dust and seamed in. More importantly, given that the bowler was operating with the new ball, it kept incredibly low. A bottom edge saved Ryan Rickelton.
The next ball rose dangerously off a length, kissed the batsman’s ribcage and went for four leg-byes. Those two deliveries weren’t aberrations. In fact, this has been the trend on this surface right from the very first over of the first Test between India and South Africa.
Cut to the 17th over of South Africa’s second innings, when Ravindra Jadeja made one jump to beat Wiaan Mulder’s forward press. An outside edge ensued, and Rishabh Pant took a brilliant catch behind the stumps. A couple of deliveries later, Tony de Zorzi was done in, yet again by the steep bounce, with Dhruv Jurel taking the catch at short leg.
Jadeja again, and this was the 23rd over of South Africa’s innings. The left-arm spinner made the ball turn sharply from middle to off despite releasing it from wide of the crease. Tristan Stubbs was bamboozled and castled.
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All this was happening at the High Court end where the bounce was diabolical, and batting looked nigh on impossible. South Africa bat deep, but unless Temba Bavuma is channelling his inner VVS Laxman, the Test is heading to a three-day finish. The Proteas finished Day 3 on 93/7, a lead of 63, with three wickets remaining. Even without Shubman Gill – the India captain retired hurt after hurting his neck while batting – India shouldn’t yet be too concerned with the way things stand. However, a fourth-innings target of something around 150 could be quite a handful on this pitch.
Is batting impossible on this pitch? Technique, patience and top application are needed. Bavuma, the South Africa captain, has so far given a masterclass during his 78–ball, 103–minute stay at the crease. He remains unbeaten on 29. Even on this deck and against a world-class spin attack, his false-shot percentage was low.
Earlier, resuming on overnight 37/1, KL Rahul and Washington Sundar spent the first hour almost untroubled before Simon Harmer — his captain missed a trick by not bringing him into the attack early — bowled a beauty to account for the left-hand batter and break a 57-run second-wicket partnership. Washington was done in by the loop followed by turn. Then, India started losing wickets at regular intervals.
Gill went too hard at a Harmer delivery and instantly caught his nape and grimaced in pain. He got a four all right, but had to retire hurt. “Shubman Gill has a neck spasm and is being monitored by the BCCI medical team,” said a BCCI press release.
From South Africa’s side, Harmer was excellent, returning with 4/30 from 15.2 overs. But the big picture is that a total of 152.2 overs have been bowled over two days, and Rahul’s 39 remains the highest score across the two sides. Fifteen wickets fell on Day 2, and 245 runs were scored.
Brief scores: South Africa 159 and 93/7 (Bavuma 29*; Jadeja 4/29) lead India 189 (Rahul 39, Washington 29; Harmer 4/30) by 63 runs.
Also Read: Tough pitch? Yes. Devilish? No