Michael Vaughan added to his assault on the Eden Gardens floor after India slipped to a 30-run defeat towards South Africa within the opening Take a look at, saying the hosts had set themselves up for the outcome that adopted. The previous England captain, who had already criticised the situations in the course of the match, was sharper in tone as soon as India have been bowled out for 93 of their chase of 124. “Terrible pitch in Kolkata … #INDvSA,” he posted in the course of the second day as the competition moved quickly in direction of an early end. And after South Africa sealed victory inside three days, Vaughan wrote, “Put together a pitch like that and also you should lose towards the World Take a look at champs …. sensible win by SA …. #INDvSA.”

The floor dominated dialogue all through the Take a look at. South Africa have been dismissed for 159 on the primary day, and India managed solely a 30-run lead in response. By the second night, the guests have been 93 for 7, with each groups struggling towards uneven bounce and sharp flip. Spinners ultimately accounted for many of the dismissals throughout each innings.

Michael Vaughan on X

The match ended on Sunday when Simon Harmer accomplished an eight-wicket match haul to bowl India out. The hosts, taking part in with out Shubman Gill within the second innings attributable to a neck harm, misplaced wickets in fast succession as Harmer and Keshav Maharaj tightened management. India’s temporary resistance got here via Washington Sundar’s 31 and Axar Patel’s late hitting, however the chase by no means stabilised. Whereas a number of former cricketers expressed disappointment with the pitch, Gautam Gambhir defended the preparation, saying the situations have been precisely what the group had sought. “That is precisely the pitch we have been on the lookout for… the curator was very, very useful, and that is precisely what we wished,” Gambhir stated. He added, “When you do not play properly, that is what occurs.”

South Africa captain Temba Bavuma, who made a affected person 55 not out, stated his group “tried to carry our floor as a lot as we may,” acknowledging the problem of batting on the floor. India’s stand-in captain Rishabh Pant stated the aspect “ought to’ve been capable of chase this rating.” India’s house run final season ended inconsistently, and this defeat added to a stretch of combined outcomes. With the second Take a look at in Guwahati approaching, scrutiny over situations and preparation is more likely to proceed alongside discussions about India’s efficiency.