Cricket world loses it over India meltdown to South Africa on tailor-made pitch in first Test

India have become the laughing stock of the cricket world after losing to South Africa inside three days on an Eden Gardens minefield engineered to their exact specifications.

The Proteas registered a thrilling 30-run victory in the first of two Tests, with the hosts, chasing just 124, folding for 93 in a remarkable batting meltdown in front of nearly 40,000 fans.

And the criticism came thick and fast — particularly after Indian coach Gautum Gambhir repeatedly admitted it was “exactly the pitch we were looking for” from curators.

“The curator was very, very helpful,” he said.

“And this is exactly what we wanted, and this is exactly what we got (but) when you don’t play well, this is what happens.

“We have always said we want turning wickets where the ball turns a little on day one so that the toss doesn’t become an important factor.

“We’ve never said we want to play on bad wickets or rank turners. Ultimately, if we had won, we wouldn’t be speaking about the pitch this much.”

England great Michael Vaughan, who already said during the match that the pitch was “awful”, was among the most direct in response to the result.

“Prepare a pitch like that and you deserve to lose against the World Test champs. Brilliant win by SA,” he wrote.

India’s own prominent commentator Harsha Bhogle said: “Hopefully, India just start playing on firm, good pitches again.”

During the match former spinner Harbhajan Singh described the wicket as “a mockery of Test cricket” while champion allrounder Irfan Pathan said it was “terrible” but also criticised Indian batting against spin.

South Africa’s off-spinner Simon Harmer did the damage in the fourth innings, claiming 4-21.

But it was captain Temba Bavuma who set up the shot at victory when he dragged the Proteas back into the contest with an innings of tremendous grit.

Having conceded a first-innings lead of 30, South Africa resumed day three on a precarious 7-93 with the onus on Bavuma to give his bowlers some runs to defend.

Bavuma replied with an unbeaten 55 — the only 50 in a match where inconsistent bounce and spin made life difficult for the shot-makers.

Corbin Bosch produced a defiant 25, but once Jasprit Bumrah pegged back his off stump, South Africa’s tail promptly caved in.

Bavuma was left stranded after a 136-ball defiance, which contained four boundaries and plenty of determination.

Chasing a small total to win, India were already short of a batter as skipper Shubman Gill retired hurt in the first innings and could not bat in the second.

To make it worse, Marco Jansen claimed two wickets in his first seven deliveries to leave India reeling.

Yashasvi Jaiswal fell for a four-ball duck while opening partner KL Rahul made one before he too perished caught behind.

Harmer dismissed Dhruv Jurel and Rishabh Pant to reduce India to 4-38 and then trapped Ravindra Jadeja (18).

Aiden Markram struck a crucial blow when he dismissed a set Washington Sundar (31) in the slip.

Realising the futility of trying to hang around, Axar Patel smacked a couple of sixes before falling for 26, which effectively sealed the match in South Africa’s favour.