Gautam Gambhir defends decision to go for turning wickets despite humiliation: 'This is exactly what we wanted'

South Africa created history at Eden Gardens by beating India by 30 runs in the first Test, their first win on Indian soil in 15 years. It was a remarkable comeback from the visitors, especially because they were bowled out for just 159 after choosing to bat first on Day 1 and were 30 runs behind when India came out to chase in the final innings.

However, their bowlers, led by spinners Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj, produced a brilliant performance to defend a small target of 124 in the fourth innings. This is India’s fourth defeat in the last six Test matches at home. Their decision to field a rank turner backfired yet again. India head coach Gautam Gambhir defended the decision to go for a turning wicket in Kolkata.

Gambhir defends decision to go for a rank turner in Kolkata

Gambhir praised the Eden Gardens curator and said they got exactly what they had asked for, but admitted his batters failed to apply themselves on the day. “This is exactly the pitch we were looking for. I feel the curator was very helpful, and this is exactly what we wanted and exactly what we got. When you don’t play well, this is what happens,” Gambhir said at the post-match press conference.

“There were no demons in this wicket. It was not unplayable. Temba Bavuma scored runs, and Axar and Washi also scored runs. The point is, there is no use talking about the pitch all the time. The majority of the wickets have gone to seamers. I don’t think it was a difficult wicket. This was a surface where your technique was tested, your mental toughness was challenged, and if you had the temperament to grind and bat long, you could score runs. But if you tried to play attacking cricket, then it became difficult,” Gambhir said.

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“You should be able to play turn, and this is what we asked for and this is what we got. I think the curator was very supportive, and I still believe that irrespective of how the wicket was, 123 was chaseable. I felt that if you were willing to put your head down, and if you have a solid defence, and if you have the temperament, you can definitely score runs on this wicket,” he added.

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India started the match strongly with Jasprit Bumrah taking a superb five-wicket haul in South Africa’s first innings. Siraj and Kuldeep also bowled well as the Proteas struggled to build partnerships and were all out for 159.

India’s first innings was also not very comfortable. KL Rahul fought hard with a patient 39, and contributions from Washington Sundar (29), Ravindra Jadeja (27) and Rishabh Pant (27) took India to 189. Harmer bowled beautifully for South Africa, taking 4 for 30, and Jansen picked up 3 wickets.

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In the second innings, South Africa again looked in trouble at 40 for 4, but captain Temba Bavuma played a gritty innings of 55 and scored crucial runs with Corbin Bosch on Day 3 to take their total to 153.

India’s chase went wrong from the very beginning. Yashasvi Jaiswal and Rahul fell early to Jansen. Sundar tried to hold the innings together with a fighting 31, and Jadeja and Axar gave some hope but Harmer kept striking at the right moments. India were bowled out for just 93.

South Africa now lead the two-Test series 1-0 and have a chance to win their first Test series in India in a long time.