'No one wanted this' – Kotak slams Eden pitch

India's batting coach Sitanshu Kotak contradicted Gautam Gambhir's views of the Eden Gardens pitch, questioning its quality ahead of the second Test in Guwahati. The pitch had unpredictable bounce from Day 1, with balls from spinners and pacers taking off even from fuller lengths.

Gambhir had dismissed concerns, stating the surface was exactly what the team wanted and that the issue lay in India's spin temperament. Kotak, however, revealed that the head coach took the blame himself while feeling the pitch crumbled too soon, claiming it was one nobody wanted.

"In the last match, Gautam said he took all the blame on himself because he felt he shouldn't blame the curators," Kotak said. "After a day, it felt like it was crumbling. There was soil coming up after the ball pitched. That was not expected. Even if spin was expected, it was supposed to come after three days or on the third evening. Sometimes the weather, sometimes even the curators didn't want it. I'm telling you the truth—no one wanted it to be like this."

The opening day saw Jasprit Bumrah pick his 16th five-wicket haul in Tests, but the ball was already misbehaving off different lengths, making it tough for batters. On Day 2, the deterioration hastened, and India managed just a 30-run first-innings lead.

"From the second day itself, the wicket became too dry. The top layer was too dry, and the layer underneath was very hard due to excessive rolling. That's how I understand it. Otherwise, genuinely, you can ask the curator—no one said the match should be over in two days or there should be square turn.

"I can tell you, since I've come here, every time we play a Test match for 4-4.5 days," Kotak added.

Since his appointment in January 2024, India have played 13 Tests at home, with eight going to the fourth day and three to Day 5. Kotak reiterated that the team requires a little spin but not the way it appeared in Kolkata.

"We just need a little spin because spin is our strength. On the first and second days, fast bowlers always stay in the game. In Kolkata, it was surprising when the soil was coming out on the second day. No team would ask for that. Anybody would understand that—it's not rocket science."

Kotak admitted that India's loss was entirely on them and not due to conditions. "You can't say we lost because of the wicket. We lost because South Africa played better cricket, or we didn't play to our best potential. Here in Guwahati, whatever wicket it is, we have to play good cricket and try to win."

Attention now turns to the pitch in Guwahati for its maiden Test. Only Mohammed Siraj from the current squad has red-ball experience at the venue. The surface is a red-soil pitch with a generous green tinge two days out from the game.

"This wicket in Guwahati will probably play better," Kotak said. "How much seam movement, how much live grass remains tomorrow evening before they cover the wicket, and what weather we'll have—I don't know personally, so it's difficult to comment. But it should be a good wicket, with 4-5 days of good cricket."