The first Test between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens, Kolkata, concluded within eight sessions. On Sunday, November 16, the Proteas defended a 124-run target in the fourth innings to go 1-0 up in the two-match series. India were bowled out for just 93 on a rank turner.
Legendary Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh opined that the Men in Blue have "completely destroyed" Test cricket by preparing pitches which are immensely favouring spinners. He said that the practice of preparing rank turners isn't new in Indian cricket, but people remained silent because the team was winning. However, tables have turned drastically since 2024 as India were whitewashed in a three-match series by New Zealand and now lost a Test match at home to South Africa for the first time in 15 years.
Harbhajan said that the Indian team has the ability to win on good surfaces because the players in every department are fantastic. He urged the team management to ask the curators to prepare pitches that would give the batters a fair chance of scoring runs rather than leaving them in the dilemma of whether to attack or defend.