Cricket Association of Bengal CAB president Sourav Ganguly has clarified that the Indian team management has not requested a rank turner for the opening Test of the two-match series against South Africa, which begins at the Eden Gardens on Friday, November 14.
The clarification comes amid speculation about the kind of surface India might prepare, especially given that the visitors boast an experienced spin attack. India head coach Gautam Gambhir, who returned from Australia along with members of the white-ball squad on Sunday evening, inspected the Eden surface on Monday morning in the company of batting coach Sitanshu Kotak. Ganguly also examined the wicket later in the day before the ground staff covered the entire square to protect it from dew and any possible rain.
Eden Gardens has already hosted two Ranji Trophy games this season, and on both occasions the surfaces tended to play on the slower side, with limited early assistance for fast bowlers. Bengal's pace-led attack initially struggled against Uttarakhand before Mohammed Shami produced a decisive spell that swung the match.