The dust hasn’t settled on Eden Gardens—and not just from the dry, crumbling pitch that ended India’s home fortress aura in a mere three days. In the wake of India’s shocking 30-run loss to South Africa, the spotlight has turned sharply on the man behind the surface: pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee. Facing mounting criticism from fans, former players, and analysts, Mukherjee has issued a defiant response: “I know how to prepare a pitch.”
His statement, both a defense and a declaration of professional pride, has reignited a long-standing debate in Indian cricket: Should home pitches be designed to favor spin and produce quick results, or should they support five full days of competitive, balanced Test cricket? The Eden Gardens pitch controversy has now become a flashpoint for this deeper philosophical divide—and even CAB president Sourav Ganguly has weighed in.
Table of Contents
- What Happened on the Pitch?
- Curator Sujan Mukherjee Fires Back
- Sourav Ganguly Calls for Five-Day Pitches
- The Bigger Debate: Pitch Philosophy in India
- Historical Context: Eden Gardens Pitch Trends
- Conclusion: Balancing Tradition and Modern Expectations
- Sources
What Happened on the Pitch?
The second Test between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens lasted just 189.5 overs—barely enough for a single day in a classic Test. India, chasing a modest 124 in the fourth innings, collapsed to 93 all out, undone by sharp turn and unpredictable bounce on a surface that deteriorated rapidly after Day 1.
While South Africa’s spinners—especially Keshav Maharaj—exploited the conditions brilliantly, many questioned whether such an extreme pitch was appropriate for a marquee bilateral series. Critics argued it undermined the spirit of Test cricket, turning a strategic contest into a lottery.
Curator Sujan Mukherjee Fires Back
For Sujan Mukherjee, who has curated pitches at Eden Gardens for over two decades, the backlash was personal. In a rare public statement, he defended his work with quiet resolve: “I know how to prepare a pitch. I followed the instructions given to me.”
This subtle but significant detail—“I followed instructions”—suggests that the final call on pitch characteristics may not rest solely with the curator. It points to potential input from the team management, selectors, or even the BCCI’s pitch advisory panel, which has historically encouraged turning tracks for home advantage.
Mukherjee, widely respected in curating circles, has prepared surfaces for numerous international matches, including IPL finals and ICC events. His expertise is rarely questioned—making this public defense a telling sign of just how heated the Eden Gardens pitch controversy has become.
Sourav Ganguly Calls for Five-Day Pitches
Adding weight to the critics’ side is none other than former India captain and CAB president Sourav Ganguly. Known for his no-nonsense approach, Ganguly emphasized that pitches should facilitate five full days of cricket.
“The idea is to have good cricket,” Ganguly stated. “Pitches should be such that the game goes the distance. That’s what fans pay to see—competitive, high-quality Test cricket.”
Coming from a man who once thrived on fiery Indian tracks, Ganguly’s stance reflects a maturing perspective: that home advantage shouldn’t come at the cost of the format’s integrity.
The Bigger Debate: Pitch Philosophy in India
This incident is part of a larger shift in Indian cricket’s pitch philosophy:
- 2010s Era: India deliberately prepared rank turners to maximize spin dominance at home, leading to short matches but high win rates.
- Post-2020 Shift: After repeated batting collapses (like the recent one vs SA), voices within the BCCI are advocating for more balanced surfaces.
- Global Standards: The ICC awards “Test Championship points” partly based on pitch quality—penalizing surfaces that deteriorate too quickly.
As noted by ICC Pitch and Outfield Monitoring Reports, pitches that offer excessive turn or uneven bounce within two days risk being rated “poor”—a label that carries financial and reputational consequences for host boards .
Historical Context: Eden Gardens Pitch Trends
Eden Gardens has traditionally been a batting-friendly venue. In the 2000s, it hosted epic run-fests, including Sourav Ganguly’s famous 155 against Pakistan in 2007. The shift toward drier, spinnier tracks is relatively recent—coinciding with India’s spin-heavy strategy under previous regimes.
Yet, the last time Eden hosted a Test (vs Bangladesh in 2024), it produced a result in under four days. The trend is clear: Kolkata’s iconic ground is becoming less of a batting paradise and more of a spin graveyard—a change that may now face serious pushback.
Conclusion: Balancing Tradition and Modern Expectations
The Eden Gardens pitch controversy isn’t just about one match—it’s about the soul of Test cricket in India. While home advantage is understandable, the repeated three-day collapses—like the recent one against South Africa—suggest a strategy backfiring on itself.
Curator Sujan Mukherjee may have followed orders, but the real question is: who sets those orders, and are they still aligned with the long-term health of Indian cricket? With Sourav Ganguly advocating for five-day battles and fans demanding better quality, a course correction may be inevitable. After all, a true fortress isn’t built on crumbling pitches—but on resilient batting, skilled bowling, and cricket that lasts.