‘India deserved to lose after preparing that Eden Gardens pitch’: Michael Vaughan goes brutal

Former England National Cricket Team captain Michael Vaughan has trolled the India National Cricket Team after their Test defeat against the South Africa National Cricket Team.

Michael Vaughan said that the India National Cricket Team deserved to lose the first Test match of the series against the South Africa National Cricket Team because they prepared a poor pitch for the game.

Prepare a pitch like that and you deserve to lose - Michael Vaughan

The first Test of the two-match series between India and South Africa at the Eden Gardens in Kolkata was surrounded by pitch controversy as the track produced for the game was excessively bowling-friendly.

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From the very first day, the ball was turning wildly, and it took only two and a half days for the match to be finished as the batters of both India and South Africa had a horrible time in the middle.

After restricting South Africa to 159 in the first innings, India managed to score 189 and then bundled out the visitors for 153 to set themselves a target of 124, which they were unable to chase and got folded for 93.

As India suffered a 30-run loss to go down 0-1 in the series, the Ashes-winning captain Michael Vaughan took the opportunity to mock India over the pitch preparation.

"Prepare a pitch like that and you deserve to lose against the World Test champs …. brilliant win by SA …. #INDvSA," the former England skipper Vaughan wrote on X.

Prepare a pitch like that and you deserve to lose against the World Test champs …. brilliant win by SA …. #INDvSA

— Michael Vaughan (@MichaelVaughan) November 16, 2025

It can only be put down to batters modern day techniques - Kevin Pietersen

Another England legend, Kevin Pietersen, had quite a different take on the low-scoring Kolkata Test. In a long post shared on his X, Kevin Pietersen blamed the poor batting techniques of the modern-day players for the struggles on spin-friendly tracks. He elaborated:

"Just hear me out here: Seeing the wicket first and then the scores and then the result in Kolkata, it can only be put down to batters modern day techniques. Batters grow up now to hit sixes and play switch-hits. They don’t grow up to build an innings and learn the art of survival.

"This is fact, as I know what’s being taught and I’m a part of many player discussions. The player is not to blame at all as it is exactly where the modern day game is. The priority right now in the game isn’t about survival or the art of playing a spinning ball. The game of cricket is now about bright lights, loud music and a financial return for cricket boards, private equity and private ownership.

"The elephant in the room is it won’t be mentioned cos you just can’t talk about money. But, I will, as it is real. I wish more power to the players to make as much $$$$ as they can, whilst they can. You’re just doing what decision makers are doing but you’re just not allowed to talk about it! Keep hitting sixes and switch-hits and growing your bank accounts, dudes!"

Also Read: "Was able to grab it with my small hands": Temba Bavuma on stunning catch to dismiss Axar Patel in Kolkata

Just hear me out here: 🏏

Seeing the wicket first and then the scores and then the result in Kolkata, it can only be put down to batters modern day techniques.

Batters grow up now to hit sixes and play switch-hits. They don’t grow up to build an innings and learn the art of…

— Kevin Pietersen🦏 (@KP24) November 16, 2025

Performance in flat tracks of England aside, disappointing returns otherwise - Priyank Panchal

Meanwhile, former Indian cricketer Priyank Panchal expressed his disappointment over the humiliating defeat and said that the preference for all-rounders and lack of game plan have been the reasons behind Test struggles. He said:

"First New Zealand, now this. Preference to all-rounders over specialists. Lack of a robust game plan for home Test matches. Absence of understanding of pacing an innings in the longest format. Performance in flat tracks of England aside, disappointing returns otherwise. #INDvSA."

First New Zealand, now this. Preference to all-rounders over specialists. Lack of robust gameplan for home Test matches. Absence of understanding of pacing an innings in the longest format. Performance in flat tracks of England aside, disappointing returns otherwise. #INDvSA

— Priyank Panchal (@PKpanchal09) November 16, 2025