South African legend Shaun Pollock offered a blunt take on Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir’s views regarding the Kolkata pitch following the first Test against South Africa. The hosts lost by 30 runs, with the game concluding in just two and a half days.
The pitch appeared challenging for batting, as players from both sides struggled to score. During the post-match press conference, Gautam Gambhir made a bold statement, reflecting that there were no “demons” on the surface and that it was not an unplayable wicket. However, Shaun Pollock disagreed with this assessment.
Pollock reckoned that it was indeed a difficult wicket and there were “a few demons,” if not many. While acknowledging Gambhir’s perspective—likely intended to motivate batters to perform well even in tough conditions—Pollock stated that these were not the kind of wickets teams would want to face.
>”The only issue I’ve got is actually about no demons. I don’t agree with that one. It was very difficult at times. There were certain deliveries that were unplayable. There were a few demons. I think if he looked back he would take away that there weren’t that many demons. His point is probably going more down the lines that the batters need to show more application and ability to bat on different surfaces. I would say there were demons and it was very difficult and it is not kind of what you want. But I do get his point. Even though it was difficult, they should have shown more application,” Pollock said on Cricbuzz.
Chasing a modest target of 124, India were bundled out for just 93 in the final innings. Their efforts were further hampered by the absence of skipper Shubman Gill, who retired hurt in the first innings and did not bat in the second.
Looking ahead to the second Test, Pollock suggested that India might not make many changes to their lineup. He reflected that the only possible adjustment could be to drop Axar Patel and include an extra batter instead.
>”Bowlers, no issue. They have done their job. It comes down to the batters. If you go down to the route of saying Shubman Gill did not contribute, if he scores, then no issues. So I don’t know if there will be massive changes. The only thing could be if you want to go one bowling option short and play the extra batter. Besides it I don’t see any changes. Maybe you say we don’t need the extra spin of Axar and get more batting in. That could be the only change,” Pollock added.
The second Test will begin on Saturday, November 22, in Guwahati. India will be aiming to bounce back after their stunning defeat.
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### Former India Cricketer Questions Gambhir’s Team Selection for First Test
Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik questioned Gautam Gambhir’s team selection following India’s loss to South Africa in the opening Test. India fielded three all-rounders—Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel—and along with Kuldeep Yadav, had four spinners in the playing XI.
Karthik reckoned that having four spinners might have been one too many and pointed out that proper batters like Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal were left on the bench. While Sundar was selected as an all-rounder, he was promoted to number three in the batting order but bowled just one over in the entire Test.
>”India had three all-rounders in the 11. Is that one too many? South Africa backed regular bowlers. Washington bowled just one over across both innings and they had the likes of Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan sitting outside who are bonafide batters,” Karthik said.
India probably missed the extra batter, especially on a surface where batters from both teams struggled throughout the match.
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Stay tuned for more updates and insights on the upcoming Test matches.
*Edited by Rishab Vm.*
https://www.sportskeeda.com/cricket/news-i-agree-that-south-african-legend-s-blunt-take-gautam-gambhir-s-views-kolkata-pitch-ind-vs-sa-2025-1st-test