South Africa batting coach Ashwell Prince attributed his team’s batting collapse to “inconsistency of the bounce” and a lack of “trust” on a challenging Eden Gardens surface, as India dominated day one of the opening Test in Kolkata on Friday. The visitors, who had made a steady start at 57 for no loss, were bundled out for 159 in just over two sessions after a ruthless spell from Jasprit Bumrah, who finished with figures of 5/27.
Prince said the unpredictable nature of the pitch prevented South Africa’s batters from settling in or growing in confidence, even when they managed to get starts. He admitted that the uneven bounce disrupted rhythm and made it difficult for the batters to trust the surface throughout their time at the crease.
Ashwell Prince highlights trust deficit on tricky Eden surface
“What can happen is that you don’t trust the surface as much as you should after spending an hour at the crease,” Prince explained. South Africa’s innings had begun positively with Aiden Markram and Ryan Rickelton, but Bumrah’s incisive spell ripped through the top order and exposed the challenges posed by the pitch.
Prince acknowledged that India’s relentless attack offered no room to settle. “When you face a quality bowling attack, they can more often than not get the ball in the danger area, and it does too much for you,” he said. He also admitted that the absence of Kagiso Rabada, ruled out with a rib injury, was deeply felt, especially after watching Jasprit Bumrah exploit the conditions with precision.
Calling Bumrah’s performance “sensational,” Prince praised the relentlessness of the Indian spearhead, adding that Mohammed Siraj and the spinners also contributed significantly to South Africa’s struggles. He noted that many dismissals resulted from high-quality deliveries rather than poor decisions from the batters.
With five South African batters falling between 20 and 30, Prince said the team would revisit their approach for the second innings, potentially taking more aggressive options while still allowing players to remain true to their natural games. He stressed the importance of adapting to the surface, which demands sharper shot selection and greater tactical awareness.
Prince added that India’s grinding reply—37 for one at stumps, with KL Rahul batting patiently for 13 off 59 balls—was proof that the pitch offered little for free. Even so, he maintained that South Africa remained in the contest, emphasising the need for early breakthroughs on day two to keep India’s lead manageable.
Asked whether the pitch warranted criticism after a day of pronounced variation, Prince preferred caution, saying, “It’s only been one day. It’s pretty early to give a rating to the surface.”
