Veteran India spinner Harbhajan Singh has strongly criticised the pitch used for the recent India vs South Africa Test in Kolkata, claiming that extremely bowler-friendly surfaces are damaging the integrity and future of Test cricket.
India suffered a 30-run defeat while chasing 124 in the first Test at Eden Gardens, with the match finishing inside three days, sparking an intense debate about pitch preparation standards.
“They have completely destroyed Test cricket. Rest in peace Test cricket.”
He suggested that such pitches artificially inflate bowling performances while denying batters the opportunity to develop skills in real-world conditions.
“Nobody questions it because the team keeps winning and bowlers keep taking wickets, so it looks fine from the outside. But this has been happening for years and it is not the right approach,” he added.
Harbhajan, who famously picked up 13 wickets at the same venue in the iconic 2001 win against Australia, said India’s approach has become counterproductive.
The former off-spinner stressed that surfaces offering extreme assistance do not nurture well-rounded players:
“You are not moving forward; it’s like going round in circles. Winning like this does not help a cricketer grow.”
He further stated that pitches should help differentiate skill levels, not manufacture results.
“If batters don’t know how to score and dismissals are due to the surface rather than skill, what is the difference between a great bowler and a great batsman?”
The second and final Test between India and South Africa will be played in Guwahati from November 22, with conditions expected to remain under close scrutiny.
