In response to criticism received over the Kolkata pitch, Gautam Gambhir and his team are exercising heightened caution as they prepare for the second India vs South Africa Test match in Guwahati.
After reportedly failing to get the pitch they wanted, the BCCI is finally acting on what cricket experts have urged for years. Following criticism of the Eden Gardens surface, the board has now demanded an ideal pitch in Guwahati. With the India vs South Africa second Test starting November 22 at the Barsapara Cricket Stadium, the Guwahati pitch is expected to offer pace and bounce.
According to sources, a red clay pitch will be used at Barsapara. Unlike the black clay surface in Kolkata, red clay pitches provide more consistent bounce and take longer
to deteriorate. This suggests that, unlike the first Test in Kolkata, spin is likely to come into play much later in the match.
Guwahati Pitch Readied To Avoid ‘Rank Turner’ Tag
Ashish Bhowmik, the chief curator in Guwahati, has been informed of the BCCI’s requirements to avoid the ‘rank turner’ label for the Guwahati pitch, especially as it hosts its inaugural Test match. Ensuring consistent and predictable bounce from the onset, the red soil pitch is designed to prevent the uneven bounce that troubled batsmen at Eden Gardens.
Even if the ball turns, it is expected to do so with pace and bounce. While this won’t make things much easier for India’s batters, it is still an improvement over what unfolded in Kolkata. The BCCI is also ensuring there is no uneven bounce from Day 1. Indian pitches are known to deteriorate and produce variable bounce, but this typically happens from the third day onwards, something that did not hold true at Eden Gardens. The Board is determined to avoid a repeat of that episode in Guwahati.
Curators Aim For Pace And Stability On Guwahati’s Red-Clay Pitch
The Barsapara pitch, made of red clay, is expected to produce extra pace and bounce. The Indian team had outlined its requirements before the domestic season, and if the surface does offer turn, it is likely to come with both speed and bounce. Curators are also working to minimise any major fluctuations in bounce. Since this pitch has traditionally offered something for everyone in domestic cricket, the second Test is expected to be played on a surface similar to those seen in England.
What Happened At Eden Gardens
India’s 30-run defeat to South Africa in the first Test at Kolkata reignited debate over the Eden Gardens surface. The pitch, criticised for its erratic bounce and lack of support for batters, drew strong reactions from former cricketers and fans, who questioned its suitability for such a crucial fixture.
Head coach Gautam Gambhir, however, stood firmly by the team’s choice, saying the conditions at Eden Gardens were exactly what they had asked for going into the series opener.
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