India, led by Shubman Gill, is currently preparing for a two-match test series against the West Indies, starting in Ahmedabad on Thursday, 2 October. According to reports, the Indian team management wants the pitches that offer a continuous jump instead of a rank turner for the start of the home test season.
India last year faced a 0-3 domestic series defeat to turn on the pitches against New Zealand, which has denied them one place in the final of the World Test Championship (WTC) 2025 since its inception. However, men in men started a new WTC cycle with a 2–2 series in England under the captaincy of Shubman Gill.
India wants to play on sports pitches against West Indies
According to the Times of India, India’s team management wants them to want pitches that are consistent in the entire match instead of a rank turner. The curator is instructed to prepare the surfaces of the game with predicted bounce and minimal initial twist.
A BCCI source told TOI, “This curator has been informed that the team wants to play on sports pitch, which may not expect matches for matches for matches till the fourth day during the West Indies series.”
India can use one of the most green house pitches in recent years for the first testing against the West Indies at the Narendra Modi Stadium. The match will be played on a red-mud strip, where the grass cover ensures excellent bounce and takes to the bowlers.
Rishabh Pant’s absence affects India against the West Indies
India will face the West Indies in the next Test at Arun Jaitley Stadium in Delhi from October 10. The site has been known for its frequent bounce and high scoring white-gend competitions over the last two years.
In particular, the series is expected to give enough time to the Indian batsmen at the crease, serving as the upcoming series against South Africa.
Rishabh Pant, who is India’s best batsman, turning the tracks, is unavailable to the upcoming series. The management wants to settle the middle order and allow confidence.
India has included Seam-Bauling all-rounder Nitish Kumar Reddy for the series. It is worth noting that blue men rarely choose a seam-bouling all-rounder for home tests, which consider the turning track.
India wants a rank turner against South Africa
India will host South Africa for two tests in November, with matches played in Guwahati and Kolkata. The report stated that the team management is expected to prepare the turn tracks to take advantage of the struggles known against South Africa’s spin, while factoring also under the influence of their own speed attack.
Guwahati will host its first test, so it remains to be seen how the pitch reacts to these requests. The Eden Garden in Kolkata is famous for continuous bounce and seam-friendly situations.
South Africa will field world -class spinner Keshav Maharaj. Last year, India’s conflict against quality spinners such as Mitchell Santner, Ajaz Patel and Glenn Philips highlight the need for a strategic plan. With a view to achieving the WTC final berth, the Indian management wants to avoid losing at home.
Also read: Not Virat Kohli, Rohit Sharma! Shubman Gill called two other legends for help before Steve Smith, England Tour
