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Nagpur's bouncy track may suit Aussies
If you manage to give the security a slip and walk into the Vidarbha CA stadium, don't be surprised by the look of the pitch, reports Ajay Naidu.
If you manage to give the security a slip and walk into the Vidarbha Cricket Association stadium, don't be surprised by the look of the pitch.
The 22-yard strip has a tinge of green to it, there is not a single crack on the surface and the pitch is being watered regularly. Try inserting a key into the pitch and it goes right in, suggesting the dampness in the wicket. From the evidence of it, and given the recent track record, the VCA wicket will be a bouncy, seaming track, which should give the pace bowlers reasons to smile.
The VCA wicket may well strike a jarring note when the mood in the entire country is upbeat following India's fine showing in the Chennai Test, where the home team had a pretty fair chance of levelling the series.
Over the years, the Indians have been known to roll out a red carpet of dubious intent.
'Designer' or underprepared pitches have seen India bank on the 'spin to win' formula rather successfully. And this is why the VCA wicket will be nothing less than a shocker for the Indian team, which will take on Australia in the third Test match starting here from October 26.