Indias Mystery Pitch Decision Creates Buzz Ahead of Second Test
The second Test between India and South Africa will begin tomorrow. But this match is also expected to take place on a mystery pitch, as it is being played at Guwahati. This is also for the very first time that Guwahati will be hosting a Test match in the history of the game.
The second Test between India and South Africa will begin tomorrow. But this match is also expected to take place on a mystery pitch, as it is being played at Guwahati. This is also for the very first time that Guwahati will be hosting a Test match in the history of the game.
South Africa might have an upper hand in the series but it is not over yet. India and South Africa will be going against each other for the second Test, starting from tomorrow. This will be an intense one, as India will be playing without their captain, and the side.
But there are concerns related to the pitch, as Guwahati will be hosting a Test match for the very first time. Fans are also eager to know which type of pitch India will be bringing to the game. Will it be favourable to the pacers, spinners, or the batsmen? India had already faced a lot of criticism for the pitch in the Eden Gardens test.
1. Guwahati’s Pitch Mystery
If there is a pitch where a few games have been played, one could know what would be its behaviour. But checking the behaviour of a pitch where no Test match has been played remains a big mystery. And this is also the case for the second Test match between India and South Africa, which
Piet Botha, the bowling coach of South Africa, had an inspection of the pitch. Taking a look at the same and even talking to the curators, he said,“What we heard is that it tends to be a good batting wicket up front, and it becomes a spinning wicket later on in the game.”
Botha also made a few assumptions for the pitch conditions for the game. He said that scoring runs early on this pitch will bring in some moisture to the red soil surface, which will further make it good for pacers. But there is still a concern, on who XI for South Africa.
The team is yet to make a decision on Kagiso Rabada, who was out on the first test due to a rib injury. If the pitch is able to support the pacers, they will be eager to have Rabada back in the line-up. This also brings questions on who will be replaced if Rabada gets back in. Rabada was replaced by Corbin Bosch in the first Test, but he both.
Botha also said that the pitch will bring more bounce for the pacers eventually. This opens up ways for Lungi Ngidi, who is known for offering pace to the team. Along with that, the team has another choice, which is Dane Paterson, who is also known for the pace and bounce he offers, which is enough to trouble the batsmen.
2. When India Last Played a Test for the First Time at a Venue?
The last time when India played a Test match at a venue for the first time was back in 2017. And it was during the Border-Gavaskar Trophy, which was hosted by India. During the fourth Test, Virat Kohli, India's skipper, missed out and in his place Ajinkya Rahane stood as the stand-in captain of the team.
Pic Source: ESPNcricinfo
This is much similar to what is happening in the second Test, where Rishabh Pant is likely to lead in place of Shubman Gill. In the 4th Test of the BGT, India played its first at Dharamshala. Australia was able to win the toss in this game and they had decided to bat first. The first innings was both in the favour of batsmen and bowlers.
Steven Smith ended up scoring a century, as David Warner and Matthew Wade’s half-centuries helped Australia to score 300. Kuldeep Yadav was able to take a four-wicket haul in this innings. When India came to bat, the team was able to score 332 runs, ending with a 32 runs lead to their score. This was made possible with the half-centuries of KL Rahul, Ravindra Jadeja, and Cheteshwar Pujara.
Pic Source: ESPNcricinfo
In return, Australia was bowled out for just 137 in the second innings, with Maxwell being the top scorer with 45 runs. Umesh Yadav, Ravindra Jadeja, and Ravichandran Ashwin took 3 wickets each for the team. India was able to chase the target of 106 runs with ease, winning the game by 8 wickets.
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