Kolkata, India - The aftermath of India's shocking 30-run loss to South Africa in the first Test at Eden Gardens has triggered a wave of criticism, with former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh leading the charge. Singh has expressed his disappointment, going so far as to say the match was a "mockery of Test cricket" and declaring "#RIPTESTCRICKET" on social media. His scathing assessment highlights growing concerns about the quality of pitches being prepared for Test matches in India.
The Kolkata Test, which concluded on November 16, 2025, saw a dramatic collapse of the Indian batting lineup on a pitch that offered excessive turn and uneven bounce. South Africa, after being bowled out for 153 in their second innings, set India a target of just 123 runs. However, the hosts crumbled under pressure, losing wickets at regular intervals and eventually being bundled out for a mere 93 runs.
Harbhajan Singh, who played a pivotal role in the historic 2001 Eden Gardens Test by taking 13 wickets, didn't hold back his criticism of the pitch. He argued that such deteriorating surfaces are detrimental to the overall health and future of Test cricket. "Just two days are done and we are able to see which way the game is going," Harbhajan stated on his YouTube channel. "They have done RIP to Test cricket. I don't think Test cricket has any value left".
Singh further lamented that the excessive assistance offered to spinners nullified the skills and techniques of the batsmen. He suggested that even legendary Indian batsmen like Sachin Tendulkar and Virat Kohli would struggle to score runs on such unpredictable pitches. "This pitch is like, you pitch the ball here and it's turning and going elsewhere. Batters hardly know what to do. Even the likes of Virat Kohli and Sachin Tendulkar cannot survive on such pitches because one ball will keep low, bounce extra or turn viciously to get your wicket. So, technique is not coming into play, just the pitch," he added.
The former off-spinner questioned the logic behind preparing such extreme turners, especially when India possesses a strong batting lineup and a varied bowling attack. He emphasized that India has solid fast bowlers like Bumrah and Siraj and a good spin department. He further added, "What else do you need? Even if not in two and a half days, you will win in five days. But at least make good pitches. What is even happening? It is beyond my understanding".
The defeat has prompted widespread debate about India's approach to Test cricket at home. While some argue that preparing challenging pitches is a way to exploit the team's strength in spin bowling, others believe that it undermines the essence of Test cricket, which is meant to be a balanced contest between bat and ball. The nature of the Eden Gardens pitch has also drawn criticism from other former cricketers and experts, with many echoing Harbhajan Singh's concerns about the future of Test cricket.
South Africa's victory, their first Test win in India in 15 years, was built on a combination of gritty batting and skillful bowling. Temba Bavuma's half-century in the third innings and Simon Harmer's impressive spin bowling were instrumental in their success. However, the victory has done little to quell the concerns about the quality of the pitch and the overall state of Test cricket in India.
