Former Indian cricketer Harbhajan Singh has strongly criticized the pitch conditions at Eden Gardens following India’s defeat to South Africa in the first Test of the series. India were bowled out for just 93 runs in their second innings while chasing a modest target of 124, leading to a 30-run loss that concluded the match within three days.
Reacting to the result, Harbhajan expressed his frustration on his YouTube channel, saying, “They have completely destroyed Test cricket. RIP to Test cricket, rest in peace Test cricket.” He blamed the nature of the pitch for the rapid collapse and argued that such surfaces undermine the essence of the format.
He further added that the trend of preparing bowler-friendly pitches has persisted for years, often going unnoticed because it benefits individual performances and team victories. However, he warned that it compromises the quality of cricket and discourages balanced contests.
The Eden Gardens pitch has come under scrutiny from fans and former players, many of whom believe it failed to offer a fair battle between bat and ball. With the second Test approaching, there is growing pressure on curators and team management to ensure better playing conditions.
