Ex-India Spinner Harbhajan Singh Criticises Kolkata Pitch After India’s Two-Session Collapse

Former Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh unleashed a blistering critique of the Eden Gardens pitch on November 17, 2025, declaring it a "complete destruction" of Test cricket following India's humiliating 30-run defeat to South Africa in the first Test of their two-match series. The match, which concluded in just three days with the hosts collapsing to 93 while chasing a modest 124, exposed glaring deficiencies in batting against quality spin, as South African off-spinner Simon Harmer claimed four wickets in the final innings. Harbhajan, speaking on his YouTube channel, lamented that such underprepared, excessively bowler-friendly surfaces have robbed the format of its essence, preventing genuine player development and turning contests into predictable farces where "skill doesn't matter." No batter crossed 50 in the game, with Washington Sundar’s 31 the highest in India's second dig, underscoring the track's vicious turn and variable bounce that devoured 27 wickets across two days.

Harbhajan, who etched his name in Eden lore with a 13-wicket haul—including India's first Test hat-trick—against Australia in 2001, went further, asserting that even legends like Sachin Tendulkar or Virat Kohli "won't survive on such pitches. " "Wherever you bowl, the ball is turning unpredictably. The batter has no clue what to do... One ball will shoot up, another will stay low, another will spin absurdly, and you'll get out," he fumed, contrasting it with the thrilling, balanced pitches during India's 2025 England tour that showcased real effort and skill. He accused curators and team management of perpetuating this trend for years, calling it a "mockery" that has "RIP-ed" Indian Test cricket, where victories come without growth: "You are winning, but there is no real benefit. As a cricketer, you are not growing."

The uproar gained international traction, with former England captain Michael Vaughan labelling the surface "awful" on X, echoing Harbhajan's sentiments as the match teetered toward a Day 3 finish after 15 wickets fell on Day 2 alone. India coach Gautam Gambhir defended the preparation, insisting it was "exactly what we asked for" and attributing the loss to poor adaptation, but Cricket Association of Bengal president Sourav Ganguly revealed the Indian camp had requested no watering of the pitch for four days pre-match, absolving curator Sujan Mukherjee. This has intensified scrutiny on subcontinental pitch doctoring, a practice that has drawn ICC demerit points in the past and threatens the format's appeal amid T20's dominance.

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The defeat, India's first home loss to South Africa since 2010, has plunged their World Test Championship campaign into jeopardy, dropping them to fourth with a 54.17% points tally and requiring at least eight wins in the remaining 10 matches. Captain Shubman Gill's absence due to a neck spasm—retiring hurt after three balls and hospitalised—compounded the woes, while South Africa's Temba Bavuma (57) stood as the lone half-century maker. As the second Test looms in Guwahati on November 22, calls grow for balanced tracks to revive Test cricket's thrill, with Harbhajan's obituary-like words serving as a wake-up call for introspection on preparation ethics.

Harbhajan's impassioned plea resonates beyond the border, aligning with global concerns over pitch ratings and the need for curator independence, as voiced by Jason Gillespie. For a format that thrives on endurance and artistry, the Kolkata debacle—evoking memories of the 2025 New Zealand whitewash—highlights how short-term tactics undermine long-term legacy, potentially alienating fans and stunting talents like Yashasvi Jaiswal or Sarfaraz Khan. With South Africa eyeing a series sweep, India must recalibrate not just selections but also their approach to hosting, ensuring the game's beauty endures for generations.

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