'Recipe for disaster’: R Ashwin defends Eden pitch, cites Temba Bavuma example in sharp response to Aaron Finch

R Ashwin defends Eden Gardens pitch citing Temba Bavuma example. (Photo: X)

In the current opening Test between South Africa and India, the Eden Gardens ground is proving to be challenging to bat on. For the first two days, it appeared to be a typical subcontinent track suitable for batting, but in the second half of Day 1, the top surface started to fall off. On Day 2, 11 of the 26 wickets fell to fast bowlers, making it nearly impossible to play.

Dinesh Karthik said on air that it was odd that the surface hadn't been watered the day before the Test. Some fans have criticized the pitch on social media, and Michael Vaughan even took to X to voice his disapproval of the pitch.

Awful pitch in Kolkata … #INDvSA

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— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 15, 2025

Former Australia captain Aaron Finch had a different take on the Kolkata pitch. Taking to X, he wrote, "What are your thoughts on the type of wicket we are seeing in kolkata? I love seeing fielders crowding the bat and the ball spinning big, makes for great viewing. Interested to hear how others see it."

Also Read | India vs South Africa: Eden Gardens pitch takes centre stage for all the wrong reasons

What are your thoughts on the type of wicket we are seeing in kolkata? I love seeing fielders crowding the bat and the ball spinning big, makes for great viewing. Interested to hear how others see it.

— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) November 15, 2025

R Ashwin responded to Finch by saying that Temba Bavuma ‘clearly showed that the pitch was manageable with his sound defensive technique.’

Hey Finchy, Bavuma clearly showed that this pitch was manageable with his sound defensive technique, defending on top of the bounce and not picking length as a batter is recipe for disaster.

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— Ashwin 🇮🇳 (@ashwinravi99) November 15, 2025

"Hey Finchy, Bavuma clearly showed that this pitch was manageable with his sound defensive technique, defending on top of the bounce and not picking length as a batter is recipe for disaster", he wrote.

I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, every ball is an event though and watching players try and work out a way to survive is fun to watch.

— Aaron Finch (@AaronFinch5) November 15, 2025

Finch told Ashwin that it's "fun" to watch players struggle to survive and that "every ball is an event" in the game.

"I know it’s not everyone’s cup of tea, every ball is an event though and watching players try and work out a way to survive is fun to watch", he wrote.

While other South African batters failed in the second innings, Bavuma remained undefeated at 29* off 78 balls.  Marco Jansen scored 13, the second-highest total for the visitors, after Bavuma. At Stumps, South Africa managed to preserve a 63-run lead while reaching 93/7 in 35 overs.