Sourav Ganguly Breaks Silence After India’s Eden Collapse, Sends Firm Message to Gautam Gambhir

India’s shocking batting collapse at the Eden Gardens, where the team was bowled out for just 93 while chasing 124 against South Africa, has reopened discussions about India’s approach to home Test pitches. The loss — their fourth in the last six home Tests — came on a sharply turning surface reportedly prepared on the team’s own request. With criticism mounting, former India captain and current Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) President Sourav Ganguly has stepped in to offer clarity, balance, and a pointed message to head coach Gautam Gambhir and the team management.

A Turning Pitch and a Turning Point

The Eden Gardens pitch, which turned from Day 1, became the centre of attention following India’s defeat. The surface, designed to assist India’s spin trio of Ravindra Jadeja, Axar Patel, and Kuldeep Yadav, instead favoured South Africa’s Simon Harmer, who claimed eight wickets and orchestrated India’s downfall.

What was intended as a tactical advantage backfired spectacularly, raising questions about India’s planning and adaptability on home soil. The loss also compounded concerns about India’s recent form, particularly after their 0-3 Test series defeat to New Zealand last year.

Ganguly’s Response — “No Controversy, Just Better Balance”

Speaking exclusively to India Today after the defeat, Sourav Ganguly acknowledged that the pitch was far from ideal but insisted that the real issue lay in execution, balance, and trust in the team’s strengths.

“There is no controversy. It was not the best Test wicket, but unfortunately, India lost. They still should have got 120. It wasn’t the greatest of Test pitches. Gambhir said they wanted such a pitch and that they themselves instructed the curator,” Ganguly said.

Ganguly confirmed that the Indian management had indeed requested the nature of the surface, but cautioned against over-dependence on spin-friendly tracks.

“Yes, that is true — instructions were given. I am very fond of Gautam; he has done well for India in England, in ODIs, in T20 cricket. We will continue for a while, but we must play on good pitches,” he added.

Message to Gambhir — Trust Your Fast Bowlers

In his remarks, Ganguly not only defended Gambhir’s intent but also subtly guided him toward a more balanced team approach. He emphasised the importance of India’s premier fast bowlers — Mohammed Shami, Jasprit Bumrah, and Mohammed Siraj — even in home conditions.

“He must have faith in Bumrah, Siraj, and Shami. These are match-winners. Spinners win you Test matches in India, but fast bowlers build the foundation,” Ganguly remarked.

The former BCCI President’s comments underline a growing sentiment within Indian cricket circles — that excessive reliance on turning tracks may be undermining the team’s adaptability and confidence.

“Win Test Matches in Five Days, Not Three”

In a characteristically direct observation, Ganguly also called for India to focus on longer-format resilience rather than producing rapid results through hyper-reactive pitch conditions.

“Win Test matches in five days, not three days,” Ganguly stated.

His remark was a clear indication that India’s strategy should prioritise creating conditions that test both skill and patience, rather than manufacturing short, unpredictable contests.

Gambhir’s Take — “No Demons in the Pitch”

After the loss, head coach Gautam Gambhir maintained that the surface had no hidden demons and defended the team’s decision to play on such a wicket.

He noted that the curator provided exactly what the team requested, and the blame lay not with the conditions but with India’s inability to build partnerships and display composure. Despite his stance, the pressure is mounting on Gambhir after India’s continued struggles at home, particularly following Gill’s unavailability due to a neck injury and the team’s lack of batting depth in challenging conditions.

India’s Home Woes Continue

Once regarded as an unbeatable fortress, India’s home record has begun to show cracks. The Eden Gardens defeat marked their fourth loss in six home Tests, highlighting a troubling pattern in batting collapses and tactical misjudgments.

India’s approach of tailoring spinning pitches has not yielded consistent success. While it favours players like Jadeja and Axar, it has also exposed technical weaknesses among India’s own top-order batsmen when faced with early turn and uneven bounce.

The team’s next challenge will come against South Africa in Guwahati, starting on November 22, where all eyes will be on how Gambhir and his side respond under pressure.

The Road Ahead — A Need for Balance and Patience

Ganguly’s intervention serves as both reassurance and warning — an acknowledgment of Gambhir’s potential as head coach but also a reminder that India’s success in Test cricket has always been rooted in balance. The combination of seam strength and spin mastery, supported by patient batting, is what once made India nearly invincible at home.

As India prepares for the next Test, the focus will inevitably shift from pitch preparation to mental preparation. Can the team rediscover its ability to fight through tough conditions rather than depend on them?