Sources have also informed that the deck will bounce well for the bowlers but will start to slow down in the middle. Moreover, there is no live grass on the black ground pitch four days before the match, according to an ESPNcricinfo report. The pitch is also expected to be livelier than the one at the Arun Jaitley Stadium, where the second Test of the West Indies series was played.
The pitch at Eden Gardens is expected to become rough faster than normal. There are encouraging statistics of the venue from which pacers can gain immense motivation. In the last 15 years, fast bowlers have taken 61% of the wickets at the venue – 97 wickets in six red-ball matches.
The cooler temperatures in the first and last hours of play can also play a role in promoting lateral movement. The batting is also expected to become more difficult as the match progresses despite Eden Gardens boasting one of the most lavish outfields of any venue in India.
As for South Africa, they arrive in India after an all-format series against Pakistan. The two teams played a two-match series as part of that assignment, with the red-ball series ending in a 1-1 draw. However, the South African spinners – Senuran Muthusamy (Player of the Series), Keshav Maharaj (Rawalpindi Player of the Match) and Simon Harmer (second highest wicket-taker in the series) – played in different capacities.
The Proteas have played just three Tests in Kolkata so far. They won on their first visit in 1996, but ultimately lost in 2004 and 2010. The last Test played at the Eden Gardens was the pink ball match between India and Bangladesh in 2019. The last red ball match at the venue dates back to 2017.
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