IND vs SA 1st Test: Simon Harmer Downplays Eden Gardens Pitch Criticism, Says 'Wickets In 2015 Were Probably Worse'

IND vs SA 1st Test: South Africa's off-spinner Simon Harmer has defended the Eden Gardens pitch being used for the ongoing first Test against India in Kolkata, characterising it as "a lot better" than the surfaces prepared for the 2015 series.

Harmer said the inconsistent Eden Gardens pitch was far more playable than the “craters” he encountered on his previous India tour in 2015.

With 15 wickets falling on the second day, Harmer emphasised that the match remained a cauldron of tension for batters from both sides.

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“The wickets in 2015 were probably worse. If I think about the wicket in Mohali, it basically disintegrated on day one and Nagpur was the same -- I can remember like craters out of the wicket," Harmer said after day two's play.

"The ball has spun but it hasn't been every single ball. Look, India want to win the Test match and they want to play on wickets that suit them, so we've got to find a way to beat them in their own condition," he added.

Harmer, however, said SA are hopeful despite the collapse of batters on both sides.

“I wouldn't say I'm frustrated because there's still a lot of cricket to be played in this game and I still have the belief that we can put our best foot forward and fight to a total," he added.

"I think if there's one thing this team has shown, it's that they can fight when their backs are to the wall. So we'll try our best to find a way tomorrow," Harmer said.

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Harmer emphasised that batting on the Eden Gardens surface demanded clarity of thought and courage.

“It sounds so cliched and simple, but if you put the bad balls away -- if a bowler misses -- it puts the pressure back onto the bowler. But it's just finding ways to do that because the ball is turning inconsistently," said the South Africa bowler.