"Frankly, it was challenging" - Discarded batter makes huge comment on Kolkata pitch ahead of IND vs SA 2025 2nd Test in Guwahati

Discarded India batter Ajinkya Rahane made a massive comment on the Kolkata pitch ahead of the second Test against South Africa. The second Test will begin on November 22 in Guwahati, while the first was played in Kolkata.

India suffered a 30-run defeat as the game ended in two and a half days. It was a low-scoring contest throughout as batters from both teams struggled. The hosts were bowled out for 93, chasing 124 in the final innings.

Rahane reflected that the pitch in Kolkata did not help spinners a lt historically and was different this time around. He reckoned that it was a challenging surface for the batters despite questions being raised on their technique and defense.

"Whenever we have played in Kolkata, it has been a black soil wicket that has not helped spinners in the past. Fast bowlers have been in play, with the new ball and later reverse swing comes into play. But here the wicket was challenging. You expect rank turners in India in the last five to six years yes, but this was challenging for the batters. The bounce was low, carry was uneven. You can say as much you want from outside that stay at the crease, show good defense. But frankly, it was challenging," he said on 'Ash ki Baat'.

In the first innings, South Africa were bowled out for 159. However, they managed to restrict India to 189. In their second essay, the Proteas got to 153 thanks to a fighting unbeaten fifty from skipper Temba Bavuma.

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Ajinkya Rahane defends Indian batters after first Test, calls for better preparation

While Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir asked the batters to show better application and technique after the first Test, Ajinkya Rahane defended the batters, saying they were not used to playing on such wickets.

He pointed out the need to prepare such wickets even in domestic cricket for the batters to have better and enough preparation. Rahane reckoned that the batters were not at fault for the poor performance in the first Test.

"In domestic cricket, we have played very less on turning wickets, to be frank. If you want to make turning wickets, it has to start from way before. You need to make the wickets similar in domestic cricket also then. In domestic you generally play on flat and seaming wickets. So you need different technique and preparation. So I don't think it is the fault of the players. They have not played on such wickets, even in practice sessions it happens on good wickets. We do well outside because our preparation is good on seaming and bouncy wickets. But we don't have the same preparation on turning wickets. So it is really challenging for the batters," he explained.

While Rahane agreed that turning wickets helped spinners and India gain home advantage, he stressed upon having longer preparation time for the batters ahead of any series on such pitches.

"Yes, our spinners need to be in play at home. So if you want such wickets, put a camp 10 or 15 days before the Test series and start preparing for that."

India head into the second Test in Guwahati under pressure. It will be a must-win affair for them to draw level and avoid another series defeat at home.