Temba Bavuma addressed the pitch conditions during the post-match conference after South Africa’s impressive victory at Eden Gardens in the first Test against India. He acknowledged that the wicket prepared was likely what India requested, noting, “We’ve come here knowing that the wickets are going to be spinner-friendly.” His own innings of 55 runs off 136 balls proved crucial in a low-scoring match where every run was vital. Bavuma displayed composure on a slow pitch that turned sharply and had inconsistent bounce, highlighting India’s struggles during their run chase compared to his performance.
The Eden Gardens Test was a hot topic even before the conclusion on Day 5, with a dry and under-prepared surface providing significant turn right from the start, as India had hoped for a pitch conducive to spin. However, the inconsistent bounce made shot-making difficult, particularly for defensive strokes. India’s plan was for the pitch to benefit their spinners Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, but it was Simon Harmer, the off-spinner, who dominated with eight wickets, setting the tone from the first ball. Bavuma offered a balanced opinion on the pitch, along with his insights on India’s performance in this much-discussed match.
