"I don't agree with that" - South African legend's blunt take on Gautam Gambhir's views on Kolkata pitch after IND vs SA 2025 1st Test

South African legend Shaun Pollock offered a blunt take on Team India head coach Gautam Gambhir's views on the Kolkata pitch after the first Test against South Africa. The hosts lost by 30 runs, and the game wrapped up in just two and a half days.

It appeared to be a difficult wicket to bat on as batters from both sides struggled. During the post-match press conference after the game, Gautam Gambhir made a bold statement, reflecting that there were no demons on the surface and that it was not an unplayable wicket.

However, Shaun Pollock disagreed with his statement. He reckoned that it was a difficult wicket and there were a few demons, if not many. While he expressed that he understood Gautam Gambhir's thought of wanting the batters to do well even in tough conditions, he stated that these were not the kind of wickets teams would wish for.

"The only issue I've got is actually about no demons. I don't agree with that one. It was very difficult at times. There were certain deliveries that were unplayable. There were a few demons. I think if he looked back he would take away that there weren't that many demons. His point is probably going more down the lines that the batters need to show more application and ability to bat on different surfaces. I would say there were demons and it was very difficult and it is not kind of what you want. But I do get his point. Even though it was difficult, they should have shown more application," he said on Cricbuzz.

Chasing 124, India were bundled out for just 93 in the final innings. They missed skipper Shubman Gill, who retired hurt in the first innings and did not bat in the second. Heading into the second Test, Pollock reckoned that there would not be many changes in the Indian team. He reflected that they could look to drop Axar Patel and play an extra batter as the only possible change.

"Bowlers, no issue. They have done their job. It comes down to the batters. If you go down to the route of saying Shubman Gill did not contribute, if he scores, then no issues. So I don't know if there will be massive changes. The only thing could be if you want to go one bowling option short and play the extra batter. Besides it I don't see any changes. Maybe you say we don't need to extra spin of Axar and get more batting in. That could be the only change."

The second Test will begin on Saturday, November 22, in Guwahati. India will aim to bounce back after a stunning defeat.

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Former India cricketer questions Gautam Gambhir's team selection for first Test

Former India cricketer Dinesh Karthik questioned the team selection by Gautam Gambhir after their loss against South Africa in the opening Test. The hosts played three all-rounders in Washington Sundar, Ravindra Jadeja, and Axar Patel. Along with Kuldeep Yadav, they had four spinners in the playing 11.

Karthik reckoned that it was probably one too many and that proper batters like Sai Sudharsan and Devdutt Padikkal were on the bench. While Sundar was picked as an all-rounder, he was promoted to number three and bowled just one over in the entire Test.

"India had three all-rounders in the 11. Is that one too many? South Africa backed regular bowlers. Washington bowled just one over across both innings and they had the likes of Devdutt Padikkal and Sai Sudharsan sitting outside who are bonafide batters," he said.

India probably missed the extra batter, particularly on a surface where batters from both teams had a tough time throughout the game.