On Wednesday, Bangladesh are poised to encounter a red-soil pitch in the inaugural Test of their two-match series against India in Chennai, as per reports from Indian media outlets. This type of pitch is renowned for its substantial bounce, which consistently keeps spinners in the game. Conversely, Bangladesh is accustomed to playing on black-soil pitches at home, which are known for their lower bounce and slower pace.
India has already embarked on their preparations for an intense schedule that lies ahead. This includes a total of 10 Test matches over the next four months. The itinerary features two Tests against Bangladesh and three against New Zealand on home turf, followed by five away matches in Australia. The Indian team began their rigorous training on Saturday to gear up for this demanding period.
With four days remaining before the commencement of the first Test, the pitch at the MA Chidambaram Stadium, which currently has a good grass cover, has been kept under covers to prevent it from breaking down prematurely. This precautionary measure is aimed at preserving the pitch's integrity for the upcoming match.
Despite Bangladesh's recent successes with their pace bowlers, India might opt for a seam-friendly surface. This approach proved highly effective during Bangladesh's previous tour in 2019, where India secured victories by an innings margin in both Tests held in Indore and Kolkata. During that series, Indian pacers were particularly dominant, claiming a total of 35 wickets, which played a crucial role in their comprehensive victories.
Caption: India skipper Rohit Sharma joins team’s practice session at the M. A. Chidambaram Stadium in Chennai on Friday. Photo: BCCI
