Kolkata's Eden Gardens pitch has become the center of a heated debate following India's unexpected loss to South Africa in the first Test match, with the game concluding in under three days. The turning track, which heavily favored bowlers, has drawn criticism from fans and experts alike. Amidst the controversy, Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Sourav Ganguly has stated that the pitch was prepared according to the wishes of the Indian team management, led by head coach Gautam Gambhir.

Ganguly defended the pitch curator, Sujan Mukherjee, clarifying that the curator should not be blamed for the nature of the surface. He explained that the Indian camp had specifically requested a pitch that would assist spin bowlers and that the curator had simply carried out those instructions. "The pitch is what the Indian camp wanted," Ganguly stated. "This is what happens when you don't water the pitch for four days. Curator Sujan Mukherjee can't be blamed". He also revealed that the pitch wasn't watered for four days before the start of the Test, which led to it breaking up sooner than expected.

Gautam Gambhir has also defended the pitch, stating that it was "exactly what we asked for". He further added that the curator was very supportive and that 123 was chaseable irrespective of the wicket. Gambhir chose to blame the lack of application by the players instead of the pitch quality. He lamented the lack of big partnerships during the final innings, which prevented India from having a hold on the target at any stage.

Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh has voiced strong criticism of the pitch conditions, suggesting that such surfaces could lead to the demise of Test cricket. He argued that the uneven bounce and unpredictable nature of the pitch made it difficult for batsmen to commit to shots.

Echoing similar sentiments, former India wicket-keeper batter Dinesh Karthik revealed that the pitch wasn't watered the night before the match, which caused it to break up so early. South Africa's batting coach, Ashwell Prince, admitted that the surface had eroded trust, making it difficult for batsmen to trust their shots.

Cheteshwar Pujara emphasized the need for Indian batters to use their feet more effectively and adapt quickly to prevent repeated collapses. He said the debate shouldn't center on what type of pitch the team management had asked for, but rather on how India trained for and adapted to the surface they ultimately got.

Despite the controversy, Ganguly believes that India should have still managed to chase down the target of 124 runs. He acknowledged that the pitch was not the greatest for a Test match but emphasized the need for balance, better decision-making, and trusting the team's strengths. Ganguly also highlighted the absence of Shubman Gill due to injury as a significant blow to the team's batting lineup.

The International Cricket Council (ICC) is expected to review the pitch and may issue a "poor" rating, potentially leading to demerit points for Eden Gardens. The controversy has ignited a debate about the preparation of pitches in India and the balance between home advantage and fair play.