Michael Vaughan Criticizes Eden Gardens As Awful Pitch Leads to 15 Wickets Falling on Day 2 in Kolkata

During the ongoing Test match between India and South Africa, former England cricketer Michael Vaughan has expressed his dissatisfaction with the pitch at Eden Gardens, labeling it ‘awful.’ In an unusual turn of events, a staggering 26 wickets fell within the first two days of play, propelling the match towards a potentially quick conclusion.

Day Two Highlights

On Saturday, November 15, 2025, India struggled in their first innings, managing a mere 189 runs. South Africa’s bowlers were instrumental in this collapse. Marco Jansen and Simon Harmer combined to claim seven wickets, efficiently dismantling India’s batting lineup.

In response, India’s Ravindra Jadeja starred with the ball, taking four wickets as South Africa reached a precarious position at 93 for 7 by the end of the second day’s play.

Pitch Conditions Under Scrutiny

• Michael Vaughan criticized the Eden Gardens pitch on social media, emphasizing its unsuitability for batting.
• He noted that the pitch poses significant challenges, especially for right-handed batsmen due to its uneven nature.
• Former Indian cricketer Anil Kumble also commented that left-handed batters might have a slight advantage, given the absence of cracks on their side of the pitch.

Several players, including Dhruv Jurel, Aiden Markram, and Wiaan Mulder, found themselves victims of the challenging conditions, succumbing to the spins of Jadeja and Harmer.

Fans and Experts Weigh In

Critics and cricket enthusiasts have expressed their concerns regarding the pitch’s quality. Many took to social media to share their opinions, with some likening it to the worst batting surfaces seen in India.

• “This might be the worst pitch in India since the Ahmedabad one against England,” tweeted one user.
• Another comment emphasized the unpredictable bounce, stating, “Every second ball is jumping or shooting.”

The combination of Jadeja’s classical off-spin and the deteriorating pitch conditions created a challenging environment for the batting side. As the Test progresses, the focus shifts to how both teams will adapt to this daunting challenge.