Harbhajan Singh criticises excessively bowler-friendly Eden Gardens pitch, calls it harmful for Test cricket

New Delhi: Former India spinner Harbhajan Singh has sharply criticised the excessively bowler-friendly and underprepared pitch used at Eden Gardens, describing it as destructive for Test cricket. His remarks came after India lost the first Test against South Africa by 30 runs while chasing a modest target of 124, with the match ending inside three days, as per agency report.

Speaking on his YouTube channel, Harbhajan said the nature of pitches being prepared in recent years has damaged the essence of Test cricket. He stated that such conditions prevent real player development and give a false impression of progress simply because bowlers take wickets and teams occasionally win.

The former off-spinner, who took 13 wickets at this venue during India's historic win against Australia in 2001, said this pattern has continued for many years and is not a new trend. He emphasised that playing on such surfaces offers no long-term benefit, comparing it to running in circles without meaningful advancement.

Harbhajan pointed out that pitches like these prevent batsmen from learning how to build innings, leading to dismissals caused more by the pitch than by bowling skill. He said this erases the distinction between a capable bowler and an accomplished batsman, making the contest imbalanced and undermining the true spirit of Test cricket.

The former cricketer, who has taken 417 wickets in 103 Tests, added that it is time to reflect on where such pitch preparation practices are taking Indian cricket. He expressed concern that players appear as if they do not know how to bat in such extreme conditions, which he believes does not help the game evolve.

India and South Africa will play the second and final Test of the series from November 22.