South AfricaHis 30-run victory over India in the opening Test at Eden Gardens sparked a bitter row over pitch conditions Dale Steyn delivers one of the strongest criticisms. Indian coach Gautam Gambhir He said that the wicket has no ‘demons’, it is contradictory as it is superficial, superficially unpredictable, uneven and extremely difficult for batting. His remarks added fresh intensity to the debate surrounding pitch preparation as the three days concluded.
Dale Steyn summons ‘demons’ at Eden Gardens
Reacting to India’s collapse while chasing 124, Steyn strongly disagreed with Gambhir’s defense of the wicket. He pointed to several examples in which the ball behaved in an unusual way – suddenly moving forward, being pulled down or sliding on the cushions. Steynn explained that such inconsistencies leave batters with no real scoring options, forcing them into pure defense.
“He said there were no demons on the field? I sure saw a lot. When batsmen don’t have the option to make runs, defensive execution is the biggest key. That means batting.” said Steyn at JioHotstar.
He sang Temba Bavuma and Washington Sundar As the only player to put in a solid performance, however, they also added that they looked vulnerable throughout the match.
“They even looked like they might get out at any time; there was a number of balls. This wicket is sure to be some demon of any Test match over three days.” Steyn added.
How South Africa beat India in the Kolkata Test
Despite being bowled out for 159 in their first innings, South Africa retreated from disciplined bowling and struggled with their batting in difficult conditions. India managed 189 in reply but failed to establish a significant lead.
The turning point of the match came when South Africa posted 153, riding on the resilience of captain Bavuma, who sat on 55, his only Test half-century. The ability to read the conditions and play late is decisive.
124, India were expected to seal the game, but the South African attack delivered a masterclass in discipline and patience. India’s top order fell to a combination of sharp turnaround and uneven bounce, losing wickets in clusters. With the captain Shubman Gill Batting due to a neck injury, the middle order settled down and folded for 93 in just 35 overs.
The seamers and spinners shared the spoils, but the standout factor was South Africa’s organization and clarity, reading the conditions better than the hosts. The win gave South Africa their first Test win in India in 15 years and took a 1-0 lead in the two-match series.
