India not backing down on turning pitches, but Proteas 'don't have issues with wickets like this'

India are unlikely to change their tactics of preparing turning wickets for the second Test in Guwahati, despite the Proteas having vanquished their hosts at their own game in the thrilling first Test at Eden Gardens.

The Proteas spin contingent of Simon Harmer and Keshav Maharaj showed they could go toe-to-toe with their Indian counterparts with Harmer, in particular, finishing with an outstanding match haul of 8/51 to propel the visitors to a first Test victory on Indian soil in 15 years.

But Indian coach Gautam Gambhir remains defiant that turning surfaces are the best way for his team to attain success.

"This is what we asked for, and this is what we got," Gambhir said. 

"I thought the curator was very supportive. And I still believe that irrespective of how the wicket was, 123 [124] was chaseable. And I felt that if you are willing to put your head down, and if you have a solid defence, if you have the temperament, you can definitely score runs.

"Yes, it might not be a wicket which is going to [allow you to] be very, very flamboyant, where you can play those big shots. But if you are willing to put your head down, definitely it's a wicket where you can score.

 "We have always said we want turning wickets where the ball turns a little on day one so that the toss doesn't become an important factor. We've never said we want to play on bad wickets or rank turners. Ultimately, if we had won, we wouldn't be speaking about the pitch this much."

The Eden Gardens surface was certainly not a fair contest between bat and ball, with the first Test to be played in Kolkata in six years lasting just two and half days.

Indian media have been quick to reference the spiteful Newlands pitch of the 2023 New Year Test in Cape Town, which lasted a day and a half, where the ball seamed and bounced everywhere.

India, of course, won that Test to level the series, but Proteas coach Shukri Conrad has hit back that the Newlands surface was never upon instruction from his team management - unlike the Kolkata surface. 

“The Newlands pitch wasn't ordered. I mean, it was a shock to us as it was to India. 

“So, it's not as if we prepared a wicket like that,” Conrad said.

The Proteas mentor went further by stating “I don't have a problem with wickets like this” and joked with the Indian media contingent for them to provide some intel on how the Guwahati surface would play.

“I think when you come to India and the subcontinent, you expect wickets like this,” Conrad said.

“So, I don't have a problem with wickets like this. You've still got to play well, you've got to bat well, you've got to find a way. And, again, that's why it's a home series.

“You've got to find ways of giving your side the edge of winning. But, again, I don't have an issue with wickets like this. You've got to come out and find a way, and thankfully we found a way.

“So, yeah, we kind of expect this. You prep for this. It's more of a mental battle than a battle of your technique sometimes. Because you just feel you don't know where your next run is coming from. 

“And, again, you've got to put your money on something. You've got to battle something. And sometimes you start doubting your technique. It’s more of a mentality thing than a technical thing.

“But I'm going to need some inside tips here as to what I can expect in Guwahati as a wicket. So, just pass on the suggestions to (Proteas media liaison) Lucy, please.”