Anil Kumble 'confused' by Gautam Gambhir's Eden Gardens pitch remark

Former India captain Anil Kumble said he was “confused” by coach Gautam Gambhir’s claim that the Eden Gardens pitch was exactly what India wanted, after the team lost to South Africa in just three days in the first Test at Kolkata. India were bowled out for 93 in their second innings on a pitch that offered a lot of spin and uneven bounce. Gambhir, however, defended the pitch after the match, which left Kumble puzzled.

“If you look back at the legacy of Eden Gardens, there have been so many Test matches that have been played. I’ve been coming here since I was an Under-19 kid and I’ve never had a pitch that behaved like this over the three days in a Test match,” Kumble said on JioHotstar after the match. “I did listen to what Gautam said, he did mention about the fact that the team wanted something like this. Then I’m a bit confused because I know this is a young side.”

Anil Kumble highlighted India’s recent tour of England, where Rohit Sharma’s team played all five Tests in tough conditions and managed a 2-2 draw, as proof that this squad can handle more even and fair pitches.