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Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee has been criticised for preparing a bowler-friendly track where Indian batters struggled against South Africa in first Test. As India were bowled out for 93 in the run chase of 124, the pitch came under scanner. From Anil Kumble to Dale Steyn to Cheteshwar Pujara, everyone criticised the pitch saying that it surely had demons it, unlike what head coach Gautam Gambhir claimed after the defeat. But, pitch curator Mukherjee said that he just did his job. Like Gambhir had said, he did as instructed even though it backfired, leading to South Africa ending their Test win drought on Indian soil.
"This pitch is not bad at all," he told Times Now.
"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," he added.
Gambhir lauds the pitch curator, finds fault in batters’ temperament
Only one batter, South Africa captain Temba Bavuma managed to score a fifty in the Kolkata Test. After trailing 1-0 in the series, Gambhir lauded the pitch curator for doing as he asked.
“This is exactly the pitch we were looking for. This is exactly the pitch,” said Gambhir in the post-match press conference.
“And I feel that the curator was very, very helpful. And this is exactly what we wanted. And this is exactly what we got. When you don't play well, this is what happens.”
Gambhir went on to praise Mukherjee for being supportive. He criticised batters for not trusting in their defense and lacking temperament on a tough pitch where playing big shots was not an easy option.
“The point is that you should be able to know how to play turn. And this is what we asked for, and this is what we got. I thought the curator was very supportive," said the former Indian opener.
“I still believe that irrespective of how the wicket was, 123 (124) was chaseable. And I felt that if you are willing to put your head down and if you have a solid defence, if you have the temperament, you can definitely score runs. Yes, it might not be a wicket that is going to be very flamboyant, where you can play those big shots."
The second and final of the Test of the series will be played at Barsapara Stadium, Guwahati, starting November 22. The nature of the pitch is yet to be revealed.
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