IND vs SL 2017: ‘Ample Grass Cover on Feroz Shah Kotla Pitch for Delhi Test’
Nov 30, 2017 at 1:43 PM
Unlike the first Test at the Eden Gardens, Feroz Shah Kotla will not have that much amount of grass on it but also unlike the Vidarbha Cricket Association in Nagpur, the pitch for the upcoming third India vs Sri Lanka Test will not be that dry. Thus looking likely to have something for the batsmen as well as the bowlers.
Every Test series in India is dominated by the talks over the nature of the pitches, and the ongoing series is no different.
However, unlike the previous occasions, where the hosts were accused of preparing rank turners as per their strength, the ongoing series has seen the team management vouching for pacer-friendly wickets to prepare the team for the tough assignment of South Africa starting early next year.
The first Test in Kolkata saw the pacers from both sides making life difficult for the opposition batsmen. Even the likes of Virat Kohli and Ajinkya Rahane failed to perform as per expectations on the lively wicket, as the formidable hosts were shut out for just 172 in the first innings.
The game, however, ended in a thrilling draw. The following match in Nagpur witnessed India scoring a mammoth 610 for six declared while the spinners – Ravichandran Ashwin and Ravindra Jadeja, also made their presence felt by taking eight and five wickets, respectively.
Not surprisingly, the focus is firmly on the nature of the pitch for the upcoming Test too and the concerned officials got a chance to see it when Daljit Singh, BCCI’s chief curator, directed the groundsmen to remove the covers for the customary pitch inspection before the first DDCA conclave.
“It has ample grass cover, it’s December, and there will be something in it for the fast bowlers. Ankit (the DDCA curator) has done a commendable job in preparing this track,” Daljit was quoted as saying by The Indian Express.
Daljit further said he does not see anything wrong in tinkering tracks to suit the home team’s interests.
“What’s wrong in that? That’s what you call home advantage right? All teams do it, why single out India?” he asked.
Meanwhile, India skipper Virat Kohli had previously confirmed the team-management had asked for the seamer-friendly wickets to get the players ready for the South Africa tour, set to start from January 5.
“We would like to think that we want to prepare for South Africa. That’s why we had asked for pitches with help for the fast bowlers. This one (in Nagpur) deteriorated. Kolkata was the ideal sort of wicket. There’s not enough time for us to prepare so we have to use this time for the big tour coming up,” Kohli had said.
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