Batting great Sunil Gavaskar has his say on the pitch controversy that erupted following India’s unexpected loss to South Africa in the opening Test at Eden Gardens. Former India captain stressed that teams should not attempt to influence curators or dictate surface conditions, insisting that pitch preparation must remain the curator’s independent and unbiased responsibility. Gavaskar believes that involving the team management in this process only serves to complicate matters and can easily backfire.
It’s always best to leave the curator alone: Sunil Gavaskar
Gavaskar's remarks followed India's disastrous batting collapse where they were bowled out for just 93 runs while chasing a modest target of 124 on a turning pitch. The surface was highly unpredictable, offering sharp spin and sideways movement right from the opening day. Hampered by the absence of Shubman Gill, who suffered a neck injury during the first innings, India's middle order struggled to cope, ultimately slipping to a 30-run defeat and conceding a 1–0 lead in the two-match series.
The entire controversy was reignited by head Coach Gautam Gambhir, who previously remarked that India had received exactly the type of pitch they had specifically asked for. While acknowledging that the request for a heavily spin-assisting surface may not have worked in their favour this time, his statement reopened the wider question of whether a host team should be involved in shaping the pitch conditions, a practice Gavaskar vehemently opposes.
“Well, you know what happens in the IPL? No IPL franchise can influence a curator to prepare any specific kind of pitch. The curator works independently. If he happens to be a die-hard fan of the home franchise, he might prepare a surface that suits their strengths — but that’s entirely his call,” Gavaskar told India Today.
“It’s always best to leave the curator alone because he knows his job better than anyone else. When you start asking him to mix things up or prepare a pitch a certain way, it can easily backfire. That is exactly what you want to avoid,” he added.
Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Sourav Ganguly also shared his perspective on the controversy, maintaining that the pitch should not be the primary focus of the discussion. While Ganguly conceded that the surface was not the best Test wicket he firmly emphasized that the Indian team must concentrate more on fundamental issues, including striking the right balance, making better on-field decisions, and playing to their inherent strengths. Given that India has now lost four of their last six home Tests, a sequence that includes a devastating 0-3 series defeat to New Zealand last year, Ganguly stated that the team needs to urgently reassess both their batting approach and their selection choices.
Shubman Gill doubtful for 2nd Test vs South Africa
The Indian side will be looking to mount a strong response in the second and final Test of the series, which is scheduled to begin in Guwahati on November 22. However, the involvement of their captain, Shubman Gill, in the match is currently in doubt following his neck injury sustained in the first Test.