Eden Gardens Pitch - No directive from BCCI

The pitch curator at Eden Gardens says the track will be a sporting one which will suit both pace and spin.
Former cricketers wanted India to play both the Tests in Nagpur and Kolkata on turning tracks and the call apparently seems to have reached a crescendo after Tuesday’s thumping loss against the Proteas.
Eden Gardens pitch curator Prabir Mukherjee today denied reports of being under pressure from the BCCI to prepare a turning track to help India level the two-match Test series against South Africa here.

"I have not received any instruction from the Board about preparation of the wicket at Eden Gardens," Mukherjee told reporters.

After India lost the opening Test by an innings and six runs yesterday in Nagpur, their batting left devastated by Dale Steyn's pace, Mukherjee had reportedly said that the BCCI has instructed him to prepare a turning wicket at the Eden to assist home spinners.

The curator, however, said the Eden track would be a sporting one which would suit both pace and spin.

"Eden Gardens is known for having a sporting wicket and this time also it won't be different. It will suit both the pacers and spinners so that good cricket could be played here.

It will last for five days," Mukherjee, who is also one of the officials at Cricket Association of Bengal (CAB) said.

"Moreover, wicket for a Test match is prepared a few days before the match starts," he added.

The second Test would be held here from February 14-18.
Past records suggest India do not have to be too concerned about how they fare at the Eden Gardens. Of the last five Tests played at the venue, the hosts have won three and drawn two.