Eden Gardens Curator Speaks Out After Pitch Controversy Following India's Shock Test Defeat

<p>Eden Gardens pitch curator Sujan Mukherjee has finally addressed the growing debate over the surface used in the first Test against South Africa, where India slumped to a surprising defeat.</p> <p>Neither side managed to cross the 200-run mark in either innings, and India - chasing a modest 124 - were dismissed for only 93. The result sparked widespread criticism from former players, many of whom argued that the pitch was unsuitable and harmful to the future of Test cricket.</p> <p>Responding to the backlash, Mukherjee insisted that the wicket was &ldquo;not bad at all&rdquo; and emphasised that he had prepared it exactly according to the instructions he received.</p> <p>"This pitch is not bad at all," Mukherjee said in an interview with <strong>Times Now Bangla.</strong></p> <p>"I know everyone is questioning this pitch. Honestly, I know how to prepare a pitch for a Test. That's exactly what I did. I did it as instructed. I don't think about what others say. Not everyone knows everything. So I do my job with dedication, and I want to continue doing that in the future as well,&rdquo; Mukherjee added.</p> <p><strong>Gautam Gambhir supports embattled Eden Gardens curator</strong></p> <p>India&rsquo;s head coach Gautam Gambhir on Sunday threw his support behind the embattled Eden Gardens curator, noting instead that his own batters failed to handle the pressure when it mattered most.</p> <p>South Africa defended a target of just 124, bowling India out for 93 in the fourth innings to clinch a 30-run victory and finish the match inside three days.</p> <p>The defeat added to India&rsquo;s troubling pattern of recent home setbacks - they have now dropped four of their last six Tests on home soil and nine of 18 overall since Gambhir took charge.</p> <p>"It was not an unplayable wicket, there were no demons," Gambhir said at the post-match media interaction.</p> <p>"If you are willing to put your head down and if you have a solid defense, if you have a temperament, you can definitely score runs," he said.</p>

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