Harbhajan Singh, the legendary former off-spinner, has launched a blistering attack on the pitch at Eden Gardens, Kolkata, after two days of extraordinary Test cricket in which batters from India and South Africa struggled for runs. According to Harbhajan, even iconic players such as Sachin Tendulkar or Virat Kohli would have found survival on this surface almost impossible.
The match has already witnessed an astonishing 26 wickets in just two days. South Africa managed only 159 in the first innings and 153 in the second. India fared no better, crumbling to 189 in their opening effort. The pitch has offered bowlers all the assistance imaginable: sharp turn, inconsistent bounce, and deliveries that remain low or rise unexpectedly. Batters have been left helpless from the first ball.
Temba Bavuma’s third-innings half-century was the lone moment of resistance, underlining how treacherous the wicket has been for the rest of the players.
Harbhajan’s critique, shared on his YouTube channel, was uncompromising. “You can predict the outcome of this match within two days. It feels like Test cricket itself has been mocked. Surfaces like this destroy the essence of the game,” he said.
Drawing a stark contrast, he recalled India’s earlier exploits in England. “That is Test cricket at its finest—conditions that test players, battles that reward skill. Not this horror show,” he said.
He highlighted the absurdity of the pitch’s behaviour. “Balls land in one place and spin in another. Batters cannot anticipate anything. Even legends like Kohli or Tendulkar would struggle here. Some balls keep low, others bounce unpredictably, and some spin wildly. Technique doesn’t matter; the pitch does everything,” he added.
Harbhajan went on to accuse ground curators of undermining the sport. “These immature wickets make a mockery of the format. It’s been happening for years, and it’s killing the spirit of Test cricket,” he said.
His remarks have sparked intense debate in Indian cricket, with fans and experts questioning whether excessively bowler-friendly pitches are ultimately detrimental to the sport.