India coach Gautam Gambhir said there was no “demons in the pitch” despite his team’s spectacular meltdown in the low-scoring opening test against South Africa on Sunday.

Chasing 124 for victory, India folded for 93 on a minefield of a pitch where South Africa captain Temba Bavuma scored the only half-century of the match that finished inside three days.

On an Eden Gardens surface where sharp spin and inconsistent bounce meant even the set batters could not convert their starts into big knocks, Gambhir mounted a strong defence of their choice of pitch.

“There was no demon in this wicket. It was not an unplayable one,” Gambhir said after off-spinner Simon Harmer bowled South Africa to a 30-run victory in the series opener.

“This was not a typical turning track. Majority of the wickets w

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