India embroiled in pitch debate ahead of 3rd Test

Ganguly pleaded for the grass to be shaved off wicket on which the crucial Test starts from Tuesday.

Hosts India, desperate to stop world champions Australia from running away with the series, pleaded for the grass to be shaved off the wicket on which the crucial third Test starts from Tuesday.

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The relaid pitch at the Vidarbha Cricket Association ground turned from a rare green top to a brownish patch in 48 hours as the groundstaff scrubbed the last remnants of grass on Monday.

Pitch curator Kishore Pradhan conceded he had been persuaded by Indian captain Sourav Ganguly to assist the home team's spinners rather than Australia's battery of fast bowlers.

"Sourav explained to me the respective strengths and weaknesses of the rival teams and also the position of the series," Pradhan said.

"And he requested me to shave off the grass one last time.

"I will not let the firm wicket break but we will mow the grass till the mud beneath does not get caught in the machine."

Ganguly was, however, not satisfied at the curator's work.

"He has not done enough," the Indian captain said. "I spoke to the local officials on the 20th of October and told them what sort of wicket we wanted.

"But there is little we can do now. We have to play on the wicket which has been given to us."