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- By Gurmeet Batra
- Thu, 20 Nov 2025 03:58 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
India National Cricket Team vs South Africa National Cricket Team Tests: India batting coach Sitanshu Kotak has come to the defence of head coach Gautam Gambhir, amid criticism over the Eden Gardens pitch used for the opening Test against South Africa, indicating that critics may have "individual agendas" behind their scrutiny.
India's defeat has raised questions about its home dominance in Tests, with criticism mounting over the Eden Gardens pitch being too bowler-friendly. South Africa's spinners exploited the conditions, winning the match by 30 runs.
After the defeat, head coach Gambhir defended the pitch, remarking it was what the team wanted, but critics argue it exposed India's vulnerabilities on home turf against spin.
“This is exactly the pitch we were looking for exactly what we wanted," Gambhir had openly stated in a press conference.
Speaking ahead of the second Test, Kotak explained that the team had asked for a turning pitch, which the curator delivered, and that the batters and bowlers didn't live up to expectations.
“Gautam said he took the blame on himself because he didn’t want the curators to take the blame. Definitely, when we play in India—just like other countries play to their strengths—we rely on spin. We usually expect matches to last four to four-and-a-half days with some help for spin. Fast bowlers remain in the game on Day 1 and Day 2," Kotak said ahead of a practice session on Thursday.
Addressing the narrative surrounding Gambhir, Kotak pushed back against the criticism directed at the head coach.
“People are only talking about Gautam Gambhir. Nobody is mentioning what the batters did or even what the batting coach could have done better. In the games we lose, it becomes all about Gambhir. Maybe some people have their individual agendas, which is very bad," Kotak said.
Kotak admitted that the Eden Gardens pitch disintegrated at a faster pace, with the track losing its pace and character, becoming challenging to bat on in the later stages of the match.
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“What happened in the last game was unexpected. After Day 1, the pitch started crumbling. Even the curator didn’t want that. Spin was expected, but not that much, and certainly not on Day 1 or the morning of Day 2,” he explained.
“On such wickets, your footwork has to be good. If you pick length well—forward or back—you can bat anywhere. Being too defensive can also get you out because bowlers keep hitting consistent areas," the batting coach said.