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.
“Well, they haven’t asked for it yet. So I won’t be able to answer the question. It looks a very good wicket,” said Ganguly as quoted by India Today.
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.
Though the pitch has not been watered since Saturday, CAB curator Sujan Mukherjee expressed satisfaction with its current condition. He added that Gambhir appeared pleased with what he saw during his inspection. Mukherjee revealed that Gambhir enquired when the surface might begin to offer turn, and was informed that spinners could come into play from the third day.
Historically, the Eden Gardens wicket is not known for producing excessive spin early on.
It often provides slight movement for seamers in the first hour before settling into a batting-friendly surface. However, Mukherjee noted that assistance for spinners could arrive earlier depending on weather conditions and natural wear.
South Africa will arrive with a capable spin attack led by left-arm spinner Keshav Maharaj, supported by off-spinner Simon Harmer and left-arm spinner Senuran Muthusamy. The trio performed strongly in their recently drawn Test series against Pakistan. India, meanwhile, will remain mindful of last year’s defeat to New Zealand in Pune, where Mitchell Santner 13 wickets powered the Black Caps to their first Test series win on Indian soil.
This will be the first Test at Eden Gardens in six years, the previous one being India’s inaugural day-night Test against Bangladesh in November 2019. The CAB has planned several initiatives to mark the occasion. Ticket sales have been strong, particularly for the first three days, with Ganguly confirming that 34,000 tickets have already been sold.
The Dalmiya Memorial Lecture will be held on the eve of the match, featuring Sunil Gavaskar as the keynote speaker. Additionally, a special coin featuring Mahatma Gandhi and Nelson Mandela has been minted for the toss.
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