Gambhir, Gill summon Eden Gardens curator after pitch inspection, ask for ‘a bit of turn’

Team India coach Gautam Gambhir and captain Shubman Gill are reportedly not happy with the pitch on offer at the Eden Gardens for the first India vs South Africa Test that starts on 14 November. As per a report in news agency PTI, skipper Gill was not happy with the firmness of the pitch and also summoned pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee for a 15-minute chat.

The incident took place on Tuesday when Gambhir, Gill, India bowling coach Morne Morkel and batting coach Sitanshu Kotak went for a pitch inspection at Eden Gardens.

Gambhir and Gill summon Eden Gardens pitch curator

The PTI report said that the management “did not appear entirely pleased” with the pitch, leading to a discussion with the curator.

India are currently third in the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025-27 points table and would want all the help they can get from home surfaces to climb higher in the table. The two-match Test series against South Africa is also their last five-day assignment in 2025, and the team would want the year to end on a high.

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On Tuesday evening, the new CAB president, Sourav Ganguly, was also seen having a look at the pitch and later holding a discussion with curator Sujan Mukherjee.

Team India asks for turning pitch in Kolkata

In an interview with India Today, Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee said that the iconic stadium would offer a “good sporting” wicket, but added that Team India has asked for a turning track.

“The pitch will be good. It will be a good sporting wicket. As the days progress, there will be turn. There will be bounce. But everybody – batter, bowler – there is something for everybody on this pitch,” he said on Tuesday.

“(On chat with Gambhir) The chat with the team was like every home team. See, if you go to Australia, there will be bounce. Likewise, Indian teams ask for a bit of turn. Not much, but they ask for a bit of turn,” he added.