India head coach Gautam Gambhir said that the surface for the first Test against South Africa at Eden Gardens in Kolkata wasn't unplayable. The hosts lost the match by 30 runs, failing to chase down a 124-run target in the fourth innings on a spin-friendly track. The match ended in the second session on Day 3 as the Proteas took a 1-0 lead in the two-Test series.
Gambhir mentioned that batters who have decent technique, mental toughness, and temperament would do well on such surfaces. He said that the Men in Blue had played on similar pitches in the past.
Former South African pacer Dale Steyn shared his views on Gambhir's assessment of the surface. The cricketer-turned-expert explained how difficult batting was at the Eden Gardens.