IND vs AUS: Nagpur Test Pitch Preparations Spark Controversy Ahead of Match
As the first Test match in Nagpur nears, Indian curators have reportedly employed a unique strategy in preparing the pitch, only two days before the match. This has raised questions and concerns among players and fans alike.
BGT 2023: Strategic Preparations by India
On-the-ground reporters reported that the center of the Nagpur wicket was watered and rolled, while the area targeted by bowlers for left-handers was left bone dry. This was the same at either end of the wicket in what appeared to be a deliberate effort to make life difficult for left-handers, such as David Warner, Usman Khawaja, and Travis Head of the Australian team.
Cricbuzz writer Bharat Sundaresan posted pictures to Twitter, clearly showing the pitch being more lush in the middle and at a good length for right-handers, but looking dry on the other side. He confirmed that the groundstaff watered the entire center of the surface and only the length areas outside the left-hander’s leg stump, and then rolled only the center, stopping short every time they reached the good length areas at both ends.
Australian Reactions to Nagpur pitch
Before the pitch underwent peculiar preparations, the Australian team expressed their worries about it. Steve Smith spoke about the wicket, saying, “It’s pretty dry. Particularly one end. I think it will take a bit of spin, particularly the left arm spinners spinning it back in to our left handers. I can’t get a good gauge on it, I’m not sure, but I don’t think there will be a heap of bounce in the wicket for the seamers, it will be quite skiddy and maybe a bit of up and down movement as the game goes on. The cracks felt quite loose.”
David Warner inspected the area outside his off-stump as he prepared to face India’s spin options, including Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja. The Australian XI is likely to be left-hander heavy, potentially putting them at a disadvantage on the pitch. However, right-handed Peter Handscomb, who is in good form and a strong player of spin, may benefit from the conditions.
Embracing the Challenge
The pitch looks set to be dry and take spin, but it is not an unexpected occurrence for the Australians, who have been plotting their path to success against spin for some time. Steve Smith, the sole batter in the team who has scored a Test century in India, proclaimed that they will adopt a proactive approach and not let themselves be dictated. He stated that this approach will not change even after his first look at the pitch.
In the second season of “The Test” documentary, Pat Cummins disclosed that his strategy for handling difficult circumstances is to remain unperturbed. He said, “You can’t kick up a stink that this isn’t a lovely flat wicket like you might get at the SCG. You’ve got to embrace it and you’ve got to be really proactive straightaway. You’ve got to have a really, really clear game plan, and literally from ball one, you’ve got to back that in.”
