They were physically in Chennai. But as was evident on Tuesday, the Indian team management has begun preparation and planning for the third round in Ahmedabad, a pink ball event under lights, to be played from February 24.
A panoramic view of the Indian reserve players’ practice from the TNCA Club balcony confirmed that the team’s focus has shifted to the all-important day by night. Hardik Pandya was netting against the pink ball. After the game, Pandya, along with Pujara, came to the central plaza in Chepauk to have another pink ball hitting season. This is a different series.
Conditions in the new Motera will be very different from those in Chennai. The court will be covered with grass, a requirement for the pink ball events. Ahmedabad has already started setting the stage, Gujarat cricketer Samit Gohel reported.
“The ground has fields of red and black dirt and as of now, there is a decent grass cover on both types of fields. Pink-ball needs grass and the fields are cool. In the recently concluded Syed Mushtaq Ali Trophy knockouts, although it was a white ball tournament, the fields performed well. The ball was coming at bat, while the bowlers also had some support, “Gohel told The Indian Express.
In late February, dew could be a factor. “What happens here, when the dew is heavy, the wet ball also becomes heavy. Then stop spinning, conventional or in reverse. Spinners also struggle to catch the ball. The weather at this time is a bit hot and humid in the morning, but it is cooler at night. Dew could be a factor if it is heavy, “Gohel said.
Usually in home conditions, India is unstoppable once it gets the momentum. In 2016, after England finished the first test in Rajkot stronger, the hosts rallied on a Vizag turn to win the second and ended up winning the five-match series 4-0. Spin-punch did the job. But the pink ball tests make fast players stand out. Due to the added coat of lacquer, the pink ball requires live grass on the surface.
At Adelaide Oval, 11mm grass is routine. At Eden Gardens, the venue that hosted India’s first pink ball test in November 2019, curator Sujan Mukherjee had left 6mm live grass on the strip. An extra coat of lacquer means more swing. Grass in the field means lateral movement out of the seam. Then there is the twilight period, when batters face difficulty picking up the ball.
READ | Out of Stock Ahmedabad Pink Ball Test: Ganguly
Then England is free to ignore defeat and start over. Conditions for the third round, the first at the new Motera Stadium, are expected to be more similar to those at Blighty than on the subcontinent. And when pacemakers are at the forefront, it becomes a battle of equals.
The stakes are high in the third test. India needs to win this series 2-1 at least to qualify for the final of the ICC World Test Championship (WTC) and if they can get there, and also their chances of winning the current series, will depend on their performance during the day and the night. Proof. The equation will be completely different, making the impulse induced by Turner almost redundant. It’s no wonder then that Pandya is seemingly on the team management radar as long as he’s in bowling shape.
England’s fast attack is world class under favorable conditions. James Anderson and Jofra Archer will return to Playing XI. Stuart Broad will be there and in all likelihood the stunning Olly Stone as well. To qualify for the WTC final, tourists must win the series by a margin of 3-1; Difficult call given that a subcontinental launch is set to return for the fourth test. However, for England, the chances the next game offers are good enough to keep locker room morale high. For India, the series and its future in the WTC depends on the next round.
Regarding the composition of the Indian team, starter Shubham Gill suffered a blow to his left forearm while fielding on the third day of the second test. He did not show up today and was taken for a precautionary scan. He is expected to be fit for the third test. And team management would hope fast pitcher Mohammed Shami, who suffered a broken arm in Adelaide, will be available for selection.
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She is a freelance blogger, writer, and speaker, and writes for various entertainment magazines.