Bat first: Eden curator tells teams

The Eden Gardens wicket for the second Test between India and Pakistan beginning on March 16 would have "a firm and even bounce".

The Eden Gardens wicket for the second Indo-Pak Test beginning on March 16 would be firm and have even bounce, though the team batting first could be at an advantage with the ball likely to turn in the later stages.

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"It will be a ideal five-day strip. It will be a firm, even bounce wicket affording equal support to the batsmen and bowlers," curator Prabir Mukherjee told newspersons.

"The pacers will extract movement in the initial days, while the track would favour the spinners in the later stages of the match," said Mukerjee.

With the stadium located close to the river Ganges, the pacers have traditionally got assistance in the morning hours due to the juice on the wicket.

Asked whether the team batting first would be at an advantage, Mukherjee said: "Well, in Tests, majority of times the team winning the toss opts to bat. In Eden also, traditionally, the team batting first has enjoyed the advantage."

The wicket has a considerable amount of grass on it, though one of the groundsmen said that some of it might be clipped before the match begins.

He said unseasonal intermittent rains from Friday evening through Saturday morning were a cause of worry for him.

"Had the inclement weather continued, it would have been difficult to remove the covers and roll the pitch," said Mukherjee, also member of BCCI's ground and pitches committee.

Indian skipper Sourav Ganguly inspected the pitch on Sunday and spoke to the groundsman about its probable nature.