Eden Gardens Pitch Receives Satisfactory Rating Despite Criticism

Eden Gardens Test Pitch Evaluation

The pitch at Eden Gardens in Kolkata, used for the first Test between India and South Africa in November, has been rated as "satisfactory" by Richie Richardson, the match referee from the International Cricket Council (ICC).

According to reports from a sports news outlet, this rating ensures that the historic venue avoids any penalties from the ICC, despite facing significant backlash from fans and analysts for not delivering an exciting Test match. This match marked India's first defeat at this ground in 13 years.

Within the ICC's four-tier grading system, a "satisfactory" rating is classified as level two, positioned between "very good" and "unsatisfactory." The lowest possible rating is "unfit." Following Test matches that conclude within two to four days, these evaluations are highly anticipated. Recently, the pitch used during the Boxing Day Test at the Melbourne Cricket Ground (MCG) between Australia and England received an "unsatisfactory" rating, resulting in a demerit point, as the match concluded in just two days without any fifties scored across four innings, with all 36 wickets falling to fast bowlers.

In the Kolkata Test, players experienced uneven bounce from the very first ball, with some deliveries being excessively high and others too low. As the match progressed, spinners were able to extract more turn. The pitch proved advantageous for both fast bowlers and spinners, with Marco Jansen claiming three vital wickets while defending a total of 124 runs, and Simon Harmer taking four wickets across both innings.

Another standout performance was Jasprit Bumrah's five-wicket haul. Neither team managed to surpass the 200-run mark in either innings, with India being bowled out for a mere 93 runs. Axar Patel attempted a counter-attack, scoring 26 runs off 17 balls, including one four and two sixes, while skipper Shubman Gill missed the match due to a neck injury sustained shortly after beginning his innings.

In the face of criticism, head coach Gautam Gambhir defended the pitch during the post-match press conference, stating, "This was exactly the pitch we were looking for."

While the pitch in Guwahati was deemed better, South Africa's performance was also commendable, as they handed India their second consecutive Test series defeat at home, following a 0-3 loss to New Zealand.