Former India captain Anil Kumble mentioned he was “confused” by coach Gautam Gambhir’s declare that the Eden Gardens pitch was precisely what India wished, after the workforce misplaced to South Africa in simply three days within the first Take a look at at Kolkata.

Former India captain Anil Kumble mentioned he was “confused” by coach Gautam Gambhir’s declare that the Eden Gardens pitch was precisely what India wished, after the workforce misplaced to South Africa in simply three days within the first Take a look at at Kolkata. India have been bowled out for 93 of their second innings on a pitch that provided loads of spin and uneven bounce. Gambhir, nevertheless, defended the pitch after the match, which left Kumble puzzled.

“If you happen to look again on the legacy of Eden Gardens, there have been so many Take a look at matches which have been performed. I’ve been coming right here since I used to be an Beneath-19 child and I’ve by no means had a pitch that behaved like this over the three days in a Take a look at match,” Kumble mentioned on JioHotstar after the match. “I did hearken to what Gautam mentioned, he did point out about the truth that the workforce wished one thing like this. Then I’m a bit confused as a result of I do know this can be a younger aspect.”

Anil Kumble highlighted India’s current tour of England, the place Rohit Sharma’s workforce performed all 5 Exams in robust situations and managed a 2-2 draw, as proof that this squad can deal with extra even and honest pitches.

“Whenever you need your younger aspect to develop, which they did exceptionally properly in England, on actually robust situations, good cricketing situations, they fought very well, 2-all draw. Then while you come right here, I’m certain they might have performed exceptionally properly in related situations. That you must give them the arrogance to proceed to attain runs. The batters must really feel assured of scoring a whole lot. For bowlers it must be difficult. The wickets will come. They’re all skilful bowlers,” Kumble mentioned.

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Earlier than Kumble shared his ideas, Gambhir advised the media that the pitch was not as laborious as folks thought and that each quick bowlers and spinners may play properly on it. He mentioned India’s loss was extra about mindset and focus than the pitch itself.

“See what number of wickets the pacers took,” Gambhir mentioned. “I don’t suppose it was such a troublesome pitch. It’s a pitch that challenged method and temperament. Whoever defended properly managed to attain runs.”

The India coach was additionally clear when requested concerning the workforce’s technique on Day 3, saying that the pitch was precisely what the gamers and administration had requested the bottom employees to make.

“The purpose is you need to know tips on how to play flip. That is what we requested for, and that is what we acquired. I believed the curator was very supportive, and I nonetheless imagine that no matter how the wicket was, 123 was chaseable. I felt that when you have been keen to place your head down, and when you’ve got a strong defence, when you’ve got the temperament, you may positively rating and, it won’t be a wicket, which goes to be very, very flambant the place you may play these massive pictures, however when you’re keen to place your head down, positively it’s a wicket the place you may rating. That is precisely the pitch we have been searching for. That is precisely the pitch, and I really feel that, as I simply talked about earlier than that the curator was very useful and that is precisely what we wished and that is precisely what we acquired. Whenever you don’t play properly, that is what occurs.”

Gautam Gambhir mentioned that if India had gained, folks wouldn’t have questioned their ways or workforce selections. Kumble disagreed, saying the pitch would have been examined carefully regardless of who gained.

“If India had gained, would we’ve raised so many objections to the pitch? Sure, we’d have definitely requested, do you want this type of a pitch for the workforce to win? We maintain saying that. So I feel it’s a matter of the way you take a look at it as a result of there’s been a legacy of enjoying at Eden Gardens, after which there’s a type of fixed chatter about Take a look at cricket must be performed in Take a look at match centres, the common centres. I imply, over three days, we had 110,000 folks come and watch the sport. In order that’s what you need. You don’t need empty stands, and also you need folks to return and be part of this exhibition. And I feel Indian cricket definitely is on the stage the place they’ll compete on any floor, doesn’t actually matter. There’s sufficient expertise within the altering room,” Kumble mentioned.