‘RIP Test cricket’: Harbhajan Singh’s furious vision on the Eden Gardens surface | Cricket News

The Eden Gardens surface has once again become the center of conversation, overshadowing the cricket on display during the first India-South Africa Test. As the match ended early on the second evening, criticism from former and current cricketers was rife, distracting from the contest itself. South Africa were stunned for 159 runs in their first innings, and India managed only a slim 30-run lead in response. On the second day at Stumps, the visitors were in trouble at 93 for 7, and their advantage was a minor lead of 63 runs. The Pacers controlled the first session of the Test, while the spinners took control thereafter, sharing 12 of the 17 wickets that fell in two innings as the pitch continued to offer unpredictable bounces and exaggerated turns. Harbhajan Singh was among those who strongly expressed his displeasure with the surface. Writing on X, the former India player said the match made the longest format unrecognizable. “India vs South Africa Test cricket, almost finished match on 2nd day is not over yet. What a mockery of Test cricket #RIPTESTCRICKET,” Harbhajan posted.

Harbhajan Singh on X

Michael Vaughan joined the discussion with a blunt assessment, calling it “a horrible speech in Calcutta… #INDvSA”. Former Australian captain Aaron Finch also spoke, but with a slightly different perspective. He invited his supporters to share their views on the turning track, adding that he enjoys the challenge posed by such surfaces.

“What do you think of the type of wicket we are seeing in Calcutta? I love seeing the fielders rally around the bat and the ball spinning big, it’s a great sight,” Finch wrote. Ravichandran Ashwin responded by defending the nature of the pitch and instead emphasizing batting technique. He cited the patient undefeated stay of Temba Bavuma as an example.

“Hey Finchy, Bavuma has clearly shown that this pitch is manageable with his strong defensive technique…not going for length as a batter is a recipe for disaster,” Ashwin said. As the Test enters its final stages, the debate over the surface is likely to continue, with the spotlight firmly fixed on how the conditions shaped the match rather than the cricket alone.