Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir came under scrutiny along with Eden Gardens curator Sujan Mukherjee after the team's 30-run defeat against South Africa in the opening Test in Kolkata. Gambhir met Mukherjee and surprised everyone with his warm gesture amid the criticism surrounding the pitch.
The Eden Gardens surface deteriorated faster than expected. It was later reported that the pitch had gone four days without watering before the Test. The dryness created a sharp turner that proved difficult for batting. Notably, the pitch decision under Gautam Gambhir drew criticism from several former cricketers.
Team India returned to the Eden Gardens on Tuesday for an optional training session. During the session, several young players, including Sai Sudharsan, Devdutt Padikkal, and Dhruv Jurel, spent extended time in the nets.
Gautam Gambhir watched the practice closely from the sidelines. Gambhir was seen greeting curator Sujan Mukherjee. The two shared a light conversation, exchanged smiles, and even hugged.
The unexpected moment left many fans surprised and suggested that there was no tension between the coach and the curator. Notably, the gesture came after the team's 30-run loss in the series opener.
Gautam Gambhir was a mentor for the Kolkata Knight Riders in IPL 2024. After he left, Ajinkya Rahane expressed concerns about the quality and behavior of the pitches used in the previous season. Rahane stated that the surface conditions had been a recurring challenge for the side.
Eden Gardens curator Sujan Mukherjee defended the Kolkata surface. He stated that there was nothing wrong with the pitch despite the widespread criticism. Mukherjee added that he followed the exact instructions given to him.
"This pitch is not bad at all," Mukherjee said in an interview with Times Now Bangla amid the controversy.
"I know everyone is questioning this pitch. Honestly, I know how to prepare a pitch for a Test. That's exactly what I did. I did it as instructed. I don't think about what others say. Not everyone knows everything. So I do my job with dedication, and I want to continue doing that in the future as well," Mukherjee added.
On Day 3, India needed only 124 to win the series opener. With Shubman Gill sidelined by a neck spasm, the hosts were a batter short and collapsed to 93 all out. South Africa spinner Simon Harmer, who claimed four wickets in each innings, was named Player of the Match.
South Africa were dismissed for 159 in their first innings, and India managed to take only a narrow 30-run lead after being bowled out for 189. The Proteas again struggled in their second outing, scoring just 153 runs, with a half-century from skipper Temba Bavuma.
Washington Sundar showed resistance with the bat, scoring 31 off 92 balls before Aiden Markram removed him. India are trailing 0-1 in the two-match series, and they need to win the upcoming Test in Guwahati to avoid another home series loss within a year.