NEW DELHI: The first Test between India and South Africa at Eden Gardens has come under severe criticism as fans and cricket experts alike expressed their displeasure with the surface. The match has been dominated by the bowlers, with unpredictable bounce and exaggerated turn creating a tough contest for batters.

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South Africa were bowled out for just 159 in their first innings, and India managed only a slender 30-run lead in reply. By stumps on Day 2, the visitors were already struggling at 93 for 7, leaving their advantage at a minor 63 runs.

Pacers controlled the early session, but it was the spinners who dominated later, sharing 12 of the 17 wickets to fall across the two innings.

Former India off-spinner Harbhajan Singh took to X to voice his frustration, calling the match “a mockery of Test cricket.”

“Test cricket India vs South Africa the game almost over on 2nd day isn’t finished yet. What a mockery of Test cricket #RIPTESTCRICKET,” he posted.

Former England captain Michael Vaughan also weighed in, describing the surface at Kolkata as “awful” and adding to the growing debate over the state of the pitch.

Another user wrote on X, What kind of pitch is this mann, so many cracks in the start of the day.

As the match heads into the third day, South Africa is already 7 wickets down, and it is widely expected that the result will be decided by the end of Day 3 or earlier.