Pitch was not unplayable, this is exactly what we asked for: Gambhir on Eden Gardens track

India head coach Gautam Gambhir on Sunday firmly backed the challenging Eden Gardens pitch, insisting it was exactly the kind of surface the team wanted for the opening Test against South Africa. India were bundled out for 93 while chasing 124, falling to a 30-run defeat, but Gambhir maintained there were no complaints about the conditions.

"It was not an unplayable wicket. This (pitch) is exactly what we asked for and this is what we got. The curator (Sujan Mukherjee) here was very supportive. I think it's a wicket that can judge your mental toughness, as ones who played with good defence scored runs," said Gambhir in the post-match press conference.

Gambhir then cited the case of Temba Bavuma (55 not out) and Washington Sundar (31 off 92 balls) to validate his argument. "This is exactl