Gautam Gambhir has refused to blame the pitch for India’s collapse in the unsuccessful chase of 124 as they suffered a humbling defeat to South Africa in favourable conditions they were hot-favourites to conquer at Eden Gardens. The spin-friendly pitch dished out for the first Test in Kolkata has come under severe scrutiny with the likes of Harbhajan Singh branding it as “pathetic".

South Africa fast bowling legend Dale Steyn has countered Gambhir’s claim while noting how the pitch became unpredictable as the first Test concluded well inside three days with India suffering a 30-run defeat.

“He (Gambhir) said there weren’t demons in the pitch? I certainly saw quite a lot," Steyn said on JioHotstar after the match. “You know, as Anil (Kumble) was saying, some balls are spinning two feet

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